Charles F. Salerno
December 3, 1936 ~ February 17, 2018
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Charles F. Salerno, MD
Passed away Saturday February 17th, 2018, at the age of 81.
Charles was born in Warren, PA in 1936, the youngest of four children. He was high school class president, catcher on the baseball team, and quarterback on the football team. Until the end, he advocated the single wing and drop kick. He graduated from the University of Buffalo and in 1964, from the Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University. Charles and Theda were married in Detroit in 1964 after a six year courtship that began when Theda was his nephew's first grade teacher in Warren and continued in Chicago as they both sought their graduate degrees. He served as a doctor in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966 with a tour in Korea. He always referred to that time as his honeymoon since Theda accompanied him and taught in the missionary school near his army base. After his tour in the army, he completed his post doctorate specialty in pulmonology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit where he and a few friends talked of starting a multi-specialty clinic together. They searched the country for a place that was in need of doctors and thus, Charles and Theda moved their young family to Pueblo, Colorado in 1971 where he was a founding physician of the Southern Colorado Clinic. He left private practice to slow down a bit but doctoring was his passion and he spent the past several years practicing at Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson.
Charles was an active member of the community. He served as president of the Colorado chapter of the American Lung Association for a term in the '70s, and helped at Champ Camp for children with severe asthma. He was active with the cub scouts and little league baseball associations. He was a lifelong Yankees fan and a true fan of all Colorado sports teams from the moment he made Colorado his home.
Besides his wife of 51 years, Charles is survived by his daughter, Michelle, (Joel Ziegler), and grandsons, Henry and Rowan, of Philadelphia, PA and son, Christopher (Ericka) of Littleton, CO., his sister Mary Jane of Warren, PA, and brothers Joseph of San Jose, CA and Leroy (Mary Anne) of Sunnyvale, CA. and his nieces and nephews.
Charles loved his family and friends and they loved him. He will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 2nd, 2018, at 10:00 at Christ the King Church, 1708 Horseshoe Dr., Pueblo, CO 81001 with a reception to follow in the church hall. Burial will be in Warren, PA.
This is soooo sad! I was just talking to my Mom about his health advice. Every time a doctor gives her health advice it is the same thing, regardless of anatomical area that Dr. Salerno already spoke to her about. So every time she says,” Dr. so and so said”… I always say, “Dr. Salerno said that 35 years ago”!
So sorry for your’e loss, he was a very caring individual. May our Father help the pain in your hearts at this time.
To the Salerno family, I am so very sorry to hear of Dr. Salerno’s passing. I remember growing up in your home, with wonderful time spent with Michelle and the entire family. Until your hearts heal, please know that I will be holding you close in mine. Love and peace, Anita
To the Salerno family- our sincere sympathy. As many others have said, Dr. Salerno was very well respected in so many ways! I started working at Southern Colorado Clinic in 1972, so I was privileged to know the founding fathers and I gained so much personal respect for his strong work ethics. He was such a great mentor to many of us.
He was my parents personal physician for many years. I can only imagine what stories my Dad shared with him, but that wry smile always told me that Daddy had “shared another one”! They had such mutual respect for one another and we could not have had more confidence in the medical care they received. Chuck was there when my Daddy passed away. I’ll never forget his gentle loving hug and kind words.
God bless each of you,
Sincerely,
Debbi & Bernie Williams family
We have known Dr. Salerno and family for almost 40 years. It started when Chris and Roger played Boy Scout baseball team together coached by Dr. Salerno. Dr. Salerno was a great coach and took the team to the Runyan field in Pueblo for playoffs. He was a great Doctor, a loving husband and father. He always provided the best healthcare to his patients. He loved his wife, Theda and raised 2 wonderful children. He also was a great patriot, concerning the direction the country was heading. Dr. Salerno, you will remain in our hearts forever. We love you and miss you. Dear Theda and family, we are sending you our deepest sympathy and condolences. Please take good care. Cheng Lin and family
To leave the world a better place, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded~-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Theda and family, I’m so sincerely sorry about Doc”ie” Salerno leaving us. When I joined the SCC in 1985 (a few months after my father passed away) Chuck and the other “founders” took me under their wing and supported me and my Pediatric practice and became like fathers to me in many ways. I have so many happy memories of the “good old days” at the Clinic. More recently, after my retirement, I have enjoyed visiting with Chuck at Saturday mass at Christ the KIng and when I’d run into him at King Soopers. He was always concerned about my health and we commiserated a lot about our “back issues”. I was hopeful and prayed he’d have a good outcome from his back procedure in early January (as I had after mine a year ago). I was afraid something had happened when he never returned to Church. I’ll miss his quiet voice, his dapper, professional attire, his tap on the shoulder or underhanded wave as he passed me in the communion line. I can’t imagine how much he’ll be missed by you and your family. He must be taking good care of God, since I know he’d never retire from medicine. I know God is taking good care of him.
Chris and family,
May you find peace and comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of your dad. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mrs. Salerno and family, I am sending my sincere condolences to you. I worked at Southern Colorado Clinic for 14 years. Dr. Salerno was a wonderful doctor and outstanding person. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to know him.
Sincerely,
fka: Diana Baca
My sincere sympathy to the family. Dr. Salerno was a wonderful father, “granddad”, and great friend to me and my family. He will be missed by ALL.
Kathryn Ziegler
What a great man, great Doctor… I enjoyed being a patient of his. He showed kindness to all. He would talk with you at first…then examine you , then talk with you some more… Sadly he will be missed. God bless the family.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to the Salerno family. Dr Salerno was truely a good man. I enjoyed the time that I worked for him, but more so enjoyed and cherished the good times we shared outside of the medical office. Dr Salerno and Theda often were regulars at our family celebrations and occasions. He rarely missed a sports event that my boys participated in, and would even travel outside of Pueblo to support my kids. Since I lost my father when I was young, I often confided in Dr Salerno, and he gave me guidance and support to raising my boys. We remained very good friends long after my employment with him. I remember how proud he was of Erik and Dusty’s academic and athletic accomplishments. He was a true Pueblo East High sports fan, he was all smiles when Dusty’s East Eagle Football team won three consecutive state titles. Dr Salerno, I will always cherish our friendship, your guidance, and mentoring. I will never forget you! An amazing man!
Dear Theda, so sorry to hear about the death of Chuck. I was glad to talk to him a short time ago. Best wishes.
I have the privilege of having known Chuck as a colleague, friend, and beloved partner in the Southern Colorado Clinic, which he,with others, founded, shaped, guided, and supported to the benefit of the community. His focus was always on the absolute best practices in medicine, which he championed as bedrock for every decision we made. I have the greatest respect for him. And now, sadly,the deepest sense of loss at his passing. A patient of his once told me that he usually had to wait for his appointment, but that “once he came into the room there was no doubt in my mind that I was the most important man on the world, for as long as it took for my problems to be addressed”. Every physician should be fortunate to have such praise. I want his beloved family to know that I, among many, regard him as one of the best men I have ever had the privilege to know. My deepest condolences to his loving family.
My heart hangs heavy with the passing of Dr. Salerno and can’t imagine how difficult this must be for his family. I look back fondly upon the decades of clinic picnicks and Thanksgiving dinners our families shared together. He was a good man and did a great deal of good for his patients and the community. My family and I will miss him dearly.
Dear Mrs Salerno Sorry to hear about your loss. He was my boss for 25 1/2 yrs and loved working for him. Dr Salerno cared so much for his patients and employees.
Our deepest condolences. We are very sorry for your loss. Dr. Salerno was my dad’s doctor many years ago. He was my dad’s favorite doctor. He was always so patient and kind. He always knew exactly what to do to get him on the right track. He will be greatly missed.
Dearest Theda, Michelle, Chris:
Words can’t express the sorrow I feel with Chuck’s passing. Theda, you and Chuck were so warm and welcoming to Lou, Bernie and me when we arrived in Pueblo. Your family, with Kay, Carl, Nick , and Judy , truly became our family in Pueblo. So many happy memories to cherish!
I’ve had you and Chuck in my thoughts since I heard of his illness.
Sorry I can’t be with you at this moment. Please accept my deepest condolences . All my love ,
Lydia Balizet
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
He was like a father to me. I always thought he was invincible.
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Theda, Michelle, and Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck has been a close friend of my family for as long as I can remember, and he was always very warm and kind to me and my siblings. I will forever have wonderful memories of our families spending holidays together and playing trivial pursuit.
Hugs to all of you, Kristen
Dear Theda, Chris and Michelle, my deepest heartfelt sympathies to all of you. Your hearts are breaking but I pray you will take some comfort knowing what a marvelous person your husband and father was.
He was truly a man with love and compassion in his life. He lived for his family and was so proud of all of you. He will be dearly missed by many.
My heartfelt love, thoughts and praryers are with you during this difficult time.
With love and admiration,
Dori (Walls) Thielemier
.
A great Man, Uncle, Father, Doctor and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. That is who My Uncle Bud was. He was always there for us. He was always there for his family.
When he came home to Warren he would organize outings so the family could get together.
He was a very caring man to all he met. Dedicated and loving.
He will be missed so very much.
Phil and I send our condolences to Aunt Theda, Michelle, Chris and the whole family. We are sorry we cannot make it in person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. We love you all.
Dear Mrs. Salerno, Chris, Michelle, and Salerno Family,
I am deeply sorry to hear of Dr. Salerno’s passing. He was such a wonderful man and doctor. He took excellent care of my Mom and Dad for so many years. I will never forget the kindness he always showed them. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Kathy Concialdi-Lawrence
So sorry for your loss. I still remember fondly the time I spent with your family while working at the Country Club. My sincerest sympathies to all of you.