Mr. Charles J. Stamm, a 1967 Cheltenham High School graduate and former CHS social studies, special education, and TV production teacher, passed away on Monday, June 3, in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was 75 years old.
In addition to Glenside Local’s previous obituary, The Philadelphia Inquirer published an obituary for Mr. Stamm today. An excerpt:
Mr. Stamm was a groundbreaker over his 33 years at Cheltenham. From 1974 to his retirement in 2007, he secured $60,000 in funding for a state-of-the-art TV studio at the high school, developed a popular TV production curriculum in 1996, coached wrestling and golf teams for more than two decades, and addressed important educational issues as president of the Cheltenham Educators’ Association.
He taught 11th-grade social studies, applied economics, and special education classes, and oversaw the school’s media club and student council for more than a decade. As executive producer and student staff adviser for the school’s TV channel 42, he created, filmed, and edited reams of content, and the school named its five-room production suite the Charlie Stamm Studio after he retired.
“Charlie Stamm is a Cheltenham High School icon. If anyone deserves to be called ‘Mr. Cheltenham High,’ it’s him,” local historian Chuck Langerman said.
“He was the epitome of a good guy, a man of character and leadership,” a former student said in a Facebook tribute. Another former student wrote: “The work I did 20 years ago for Channel 42 … gave me a sense of purpose when I felt rudderless, confidence when I felt invisible. That was an invaluable gift.”
A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30pm on Sunday, July 28, at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Funeral Directors, 6410 N. Broad St., Philadelphia.
According to Richard Stamm, a 1964 Cheltenham High School graduate and brother of Charlie Stamm, the memorial service will be streamed on the internet. Login information will be available several days prior.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photos: Courtesy of Mr. Stamm’s family via the Inquirer