Charles E. Reichman 1942-2026

Charlie was born Jan. 20, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Winifred Leah Tiffin Reichman and Edward Price Reichman.

He was an Eagle Scout, a competitive diver and his sister’s hero.

He graduated from University City High School (1960) in St. Louis. He graduated from Southern Methodist University (1964) in Dallas, Texas, where he excelled on the diving team. He was an active member of Sigma Chi, where he met his lifelong friend and fraternity brother, Nathan White.

Charlie started his career as a certified public accountant, before becoming a decorated officer in the U.S. Navy. He served on the 7th Fleet cruiser Providence in the Vietnam War, where his ship was hit by mortar while supporting the US Marines in the DMZ and successfully silenced shore batteries’ attacks near Gio Linh. After his military service, he began the journey that launched the career he enjoyed the rest of his life, which involved hotel resort development.

Charlie married his high school sweetheart, Louise Barkulis Hamey, in 1986. He loved her children as his own and never used the term “step.” He adored his grandchildren and was a loving and devoted grandfather. Family beach vacations, especially in the Florida Panhandle at Thanksgiving, were a favorite tradition of his grandchildren and hold many fond memories.

Charlie lived all over the world and had many fascinating stories. A dear friend of the family dubbed him “The Most Interesting Man in the World” because of the entertaining stories he shared from his vast and varied experiences. A family favorite was his Art Garfunkel story. Adding to his interesting stories was being the great-great-grandnephew of the first governor of the great state of Ohio, where Charlie spent his final years in Poland Township.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Louise, who was a devoted and unwavering partner and his dedicated caregiver in his final years; sister, Hope (Steve) Ruprecht; children, Jeanne Hamey (Tom) Morris and Matthew (Romi) Hamey; daughters, Corrine and Carrie Reichman; grandchildren, Matthew Morris (Helene Schmehl), Elizabeth Morris (Kyte) Aymond and Hayden, Quinten and Carsen (Amanda) Hamey; great-grandchildren, Ada Eleni Louise Schmehl, Townes DeYarmond Aymond and Oliver Elwood Hamey; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Charlie loved Poland Woods. A memorial service will be held there at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Friends should gather at 6:30 p.m. at Zedaker Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Hamey Family Cemetery & Genealogical Fund #0123188 at Bank of St. Francisville or to Grace Church, PO Box 28, St. Francisville, LA 70775.

Arrangements are being handled by Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland.

(special notice)