Charles B. Degenstein, 1906-1998
Charles B. Degenstein was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 18, 1906. His father, David Degenstein, was an immigrant from Austria. His mother, Bertha Degenstein, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Charles’ family moved in October 1906 from Atlantic City to Philadelphia, where his father established D. Degenstein & Company, a ladies’ coat and suit manufacturing company.
Mr. Degenstein’s was educated in the Philadelphia area. He attended James Blaine Public School, Central High School, Philadelphia Industrial Art School, Temple University, and Charles Morris Price School of Advertising, giving him a solid background in business. Education and improvement of life for the poor was always been a serious concern for Charles B. Degenstein.
Following along with his business training, he began his working career at Stern and Company, in Philadelphia, with a brief stint at Progress Manufacturing Company in New York City. During his Philadelphia days he met Claire Elizabeth "Betty" Weis and her father, Sigmund, both of who cast an important influence upon Charles’ life. Following his marriage to Miss Weis, he moved to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, where he entered into employment as an executive at Weis Pure Food Stores, later called Weis Markets, Inc. His business career launched, and he continued in that company’s work as it grew to a most successful chain of supermarkets serving Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Charles retired in May 1966 at the age of 60 years, and then, as he himself happily stated, he, with the encouragement of his wife, Claire Elizabeth "Betty" Weis Degenstein, really became busy helping in community affairs as follows:
On February 3, 1978, Betty died. Mr. Degenstein married Lore A. Stock on January 3, 1980 and shared his charitable pursuits with her until his death in 1998. Charles B. Degenstein is remembered as a business and civic leader, humanitarian, and philanthropist.
A crowning achievement was his love for and labor in enhancing the quality of education at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. The establishment of the Sigmund Weis School of Business at Susquehanna was Mr. Degenstein’s way of helping others achieve success in business. He was chief benefactor of the Lore Degenstein Gallery at Susquehanna University through an endowment he made in honor of his wife. Charles’ generosity led to capital projects at Susquehanna that included Apfelbaum Hall named after his dear friend and attorney, Sidney Apfelbaum, the studio art building, numerous residence halls, the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center, the Degenstein Center Theater, the Cunnigham Center for Music and Art and its Stretansky Concert Hall. He also established or supported program endowments establishing Charlie’s Coffeehouse, the Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society, and The Joseph I. and Ellen Weis Goldstein Fund for Jewish Life and Learning.
Charles’ generosity and support of local programs and projects has left a lasting legacy that continues to be administered through his namesake charitable foundations.
Mr. Degenstein’s was educated in the Philadelphia area. He attended James Blaine Public School, Central High School, Philadelphia Industrial Art School, Temple University, and Charles Morris Price School of Advertising, giving him a solid background in business. Education and improvement of life for the poor was always been a serious concern for Charles B. Degenstein.
Following along with his business training, he began his working career at Stern and Company, in Philadelphia, with a brief stint at Progress Manufacturing Company in New York City. During his Philadelphia days he met Claire Elizabeth "Betty" Weis and her father, Sigmund, both of who cast an important influence upon Charles’ life. Following his marriage to Miss Weis, he moved to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, where he entered into employment as an executive at Weis Pure Food Stores, later called Weis Markets, Inc. His business career launched, and he continued in that company’s work as it grew to a most successful chain of supermarkets serving Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Charles retired in May 1966 at the age of 60 years, and then, as he himself happily stated, he, with the encouragement of his wife, Claire Elizabeth "Betty" Weis Degenstein, really became busy helping in community affairs as follows:
- Sunbury Area Young Men’s Christian Association as a Board Member
- Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce as President
- Easter Seal Society as President
- Sunbury Rotary Club as President and a Member since 1950
- Susquehanna Valley Country Club as President
- Susquehanna University Board of Directors as an Honorary Member
- Americus Hose Company in Sunbury as a Life Member
- Susquehanna Industrial Development Authority
- United Fund
- Sunbury Youth and Community Center as a Member during the construction of the pool and skating rink in Sunbury
- Sunbury Redevelopment Authority
- Disaster Committee of the Red Cross
- Central Pennsylvania Housing Corporation
- B’Nai Zion Temple
On February 3, 1978, Betty died. Mr. Degenstein married Lore A. Stock on January 3, 1980 and shared his charitable pursuits with her until his death in 1998. Charles B. Degenstein is remembered as a business and civic leader, humanitarian, and philanthropist.
A crowning achievement was his love for and labor in enhancing the quality of education at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. The establishment of the Sigmund Weis School of Business at Susquehanna was Mr. Degenstein’s way of helping others achieve success in business. He was chief benefactor of the Lore Degenstein Gallery at Susquehanna University through an endowment he made in honor of his wife. Charles’ generosity led to capital projects at Susquehanna that included Apfelbaum Hall named after his dear friend and attorney, Sidney Apfelbaum, the studio art building, numerous residence halls, the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center, the Degenstein Center Theater, the Cunnigham Center for Music and Art and its Stretansky Concert Hall. He also established or supported program endowments establishing Charlie’s Coffeehouse, the Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society, and The Joseph I. and Ellen Weis Goldstein Fund for Jewish Life and Learning.
Charles’ generosity and support of local programs and projects has left a lasting legacy that continues to be administered through his namesake charitable foundations.