Charles Clark (Buzz) Erhard, 93, of Pinehurst, NC, passed away January 15, 2012.

He was born to the late Charles and Margaret Erhard in New Brighton, PA. His family later settled in Bridgeville PA, where Buzz attended both elementary and high school. He played varsity basketball and graduated from Carnegie Tech (Carnegie Mellon) in 1942 .

He married Bernice Bice in 1942, and they later raised four children in Bethel Park, PA. Buzz built a breakfast room by himself onto their first home in Bethel Park. He always wanted to live on a farm, and so tended peach and apple trees, as well as a large vegetable garden as a young father. His artistic talent was on display with several original paintings and his “homemade” Christmas cards every year.  He enjoyed fishing trips with his friends in what he called the “Wilcox Marching and Singing Society“. He was a member of the Nemacolin County Club where he enjoyed golfing with friends and family. A later move to a larger home in Bethel Park  was the location of many dinners and celebrations with friends and family and featured a wooded backyard with rare wildflowers and a shuffleboard court.

Buzz proudly served our country in the United States Navy during WWII in the submarine service from 1942 to 1945, leaving the service in 1945 as a Lieutenant.  He served aboard the USS Dace in the Pacific. An advertising executive for Ketchum, Macleod & Grove, he retired in 1983. His creativity and wry sense of humor made him a valuable asset to the company and made him beloved by family, friends and colleagues.

The couple relocated to Pinehurst in 1983 and enjoyed building their retirement home, complete with a gazebo and Victorian gardens. Buzz was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst. He loved golf all his life and played well into his late 80’s at the Pinehurst County Club, enjoying the company of the Foxes and many dear friends.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Bernice Erhard and three children: Charles (Skip) Erhard, of Herndon, VA; Penelope Erhard, of Pinehurst, NC; and Kim Gilbert and son-in-law Don of Eugene, OR. He is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Ina Bice of Florida and cousin Jean Wain of California. Son Robert and sister Jane Rittenhouse preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher House Foundation.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Rod Stone officiating. Military honors will also be given.