Charles Richard Hayer

Charles Richard Hayer, 92, of Pottstown, husband of Lois Jane (Mills) Hayer, passed away Wednesday April 7, 2021 at Chestnut Knoll in Boyertown.

Born at home at the top of the steps at 176 Manatawny Street in Pottstown, he was the son of the late B. Franklin Jr. of Stowe and Mary Jane (Levengood) Hayer of Rattlesnake Hill.

Charlie (a.k.a. Uncle Goot) was known for his amazing ability to remember details. In encounters with people years later, he would recall their names, dates of birth, and childhood addresses. He had a voice made for storytelling and public speaking. He loved to tell stories about the “good old days” in Pottstown when cars were few and children played stickball and marbles in the street, canoed and swam in the Manatawny Creek at swimming holes like The Horsey, and ice skated on the creek during the winter months. Memorial Park used to be called The Meadow where he and his friends would build forts and swing from “monkey vines” that grew from the tall trees. During the latter part of The Great Depression and The Second World War, he served three paper routes around town on his bike that he had purchased for $3.00, and spent many Saturdays at the local Hippodrome and Strand theaters on High Street with his brother Lloyd and their buddies. Pottstown was a thriving family town during the last century.

Charlie graduated from Pottstown High School in 1947 and Penn State University (State College, PA) in 1951 where he studied Economics and Political Science. He worked for many years as an insurance inspector and managed a sub-office of the Retail Credit Company for much of his married life. He was fortunate to retire at the age of 59 and lived more than 30 years as a retiree. During the seventies and eighties, many summer weekends and holidays were spent at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He enjoyed many trips with family members to Bermuda, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard, Ocracoke Island, St. Thomas, and Great Britain. He was a huge help to both of his daughters and their families, always ready to “do jobs” and keep things “neat and tidy.”

Surviving along with his wife are his two daughters Carol Weiss, wife of Kenny, and Holly Hayer; and four grandchildren Kevin, Kenny Jr., and Katie Weiss, and Nicholas Nazari.

Along with his parents, Charles was predeceased by his brothers Harry and Lloyd Hayer. Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Charles’s memory to the Pottstown Historical Society, 568 East High Street, Pottstown, PA, 19464 (Tel. 610-970-7355).