Charles T. Erdman Jr., who just celebrated his 80th birthday on Nov. 14th, died Mon., Nov. 17 after a long illness at his home in Arnold.
Mr. Erdnam was born in 1928 and raised in East Baltimore, he joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Caloosahatchee as a radioman during WWII receiving an honorable discharge and a WWII Victory Medal.
Following his service in the Navy he married Dorothy Gordy and spent his entire career working for Buffalo Tank, a division of Bethlehem Steel, at plant locations in Baltimore, MD, Buffalo, NY, Hallandale, FL, and Dunellen, NJ before finishing his career back home in Baltimore and was the Plant Manager when he retired.
After retirement, he worked as an independent consultant and was a nationally recognized expert in leaking underground storage tanks. He enjoyed telling people he specialized in L.U.S.T. He worked with several state legislatures as well as the Environmental Protection Agency to draft legislation regarding underground storage of tanks with regard to protecting the environment.
He served as the Co-Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil which advises the Maryland state government regarding storage tank standards. He was awarded the Gov. J. Millard Tawes award for a Clean Environment for his service to the State of Maryland.
He was a member of the Hamburg Rod and Gun Club, volunteered for the Boy Scouts of America, loved collecting tools, woodworking and enjoyed making hand-made gifts.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Dorothy Erdman, and their children, Debbie Vaught of Tampa, Fla, Michael Erdman of Wasilla, Alaska; and Pat DeJacma of Centreville. He was the proud Papa of 7 grandchildren- Stephanie, Heather, Stephen, Leslie, Joshua, Dennis, and Lara.
Family and friends may visit on Thurs., Nov. 20 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Gov. Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Fri., Nove. 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Online condolences at www.barrancofuneralhome.com.

**As published in the Capital Newspaper, Annapolis, MD on 11/20/2008