Theodore Trampenau

Theodore C. (Ted) Trampenau died December 4, 2015 at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge. Son of the late Fred and Monica Trampenau, he was born in Erie, PA November 7, 1919. While his goal was to live to be 100, a second bout with cancer kept him from reaching that milestone.

Ted’s wife of 68 years, Nancy, their daughters Susan, Sara, Amy and Emily and his large extended family were all the motivating forces in Ted’s life. His five sisters and their families, and his brother Howard and his wife Lorraine and their family, were also an important part of his life. Ted wished he could bid farewell to all of the people who brought something special to his life, and he said, “It was an interesting life.”

Ted’s informal education included Academy High School (June 1938), Penn State, and University of Pittsburgh extension classes in Erie, and General Electric Technical Night School.

Ted served in the Pennsylvania Guard and the U.S. Army in World War II. He held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

His work life included the General Electric, Prudential Insurance Co, the Erie Dispatch Herald, WICU Radio (later WRIE Radio) and WQLN Public Broadcasting. He spent the majority of his work life in advertising sales and management.

Ted was active in the Republican Party in Millcreek Township in years past.

He dedicated over 62 years as a servant at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul. He served the church and the people of the church, faithfully and well in many ways doing whatever needed to be done. He particularly enjoyed working at the Food Panty at the Cathedral for many years after his retirement.

Ted had a life-long interest in flying and aviation in general. He was a former member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He learned to fly when he was sixteen years old. He had almost completed his own homebuilt airplane. Ted said, “It was 50% done and 75% to go”.

Ted was a very creative man and was always writing, drawing, making or building something. He loved working in his garden.

Ted will long be remembered by all those whose lives he touched by his wisdom, generosity and kindness.

Ted was preceded in death by his sisters Charlotte and Dorothy, and his wife, Nancy, who gave him strength, security and love in his life. He is survived by his four daughters, Susan O’Toole (Bill) of Pittsburgh, Sara Tinstman (Tom) of New Castle, Amy Salvatore (Jim) of Erie and Emily Trampenau of Erie. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren; his brother Howard (Lorraine), 3 sisters Edith Benson, Vera Barna and Jean O’Camb; and many nieces and nephews. Ted was proud of each one of them.

Visitation with the family and friends of Ted will be held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 West 7th Street, Erie, PA 16501 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with a Memorial Service immediately following on Thursday, December 10, 2015. Memorial contributions can be made to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Homes and Crematory, 602 W. 10th Street, Erie, PA 16502. Condolences may be sent to www.Burtonfunerahomes.com.