Edenbach Family
Three Generations of Service
Charles A.
Edenbach, Sr. |
How long does it take a family to demonstrate their genuine care, concern and dedication to a community? For the Edenbach Family, three generations seems to be more than a good start.
In June of 1931, Charles A. Edenbach Sr. was granted a license as an Undertaker from the City of Newport after graduating from the McAllister School of Embalming in New York City. In 1932, Charles A. Edenbach Sr., established his storefront funeral business at 89 Broadway. In 1936 he relocated to 375 Broadway into a new building. He and his wife Loretta Sullivan Edenbach designed and built the funeral home and it is believed to be one of the first to be built for this purpose in Rhode Island.
Mr. Edenbach Sr. was a visionary in many ways, being most notable was his creation of the colonial styled structure specifically created to provide family and friends a means to pay the finest tribute to the memory of their loved one, without hardship. His creation of this "home for funerals" was quite a new idea in the mid 1930's, as funerals in that era were usually conducted from the family home. |
The funeral home structure itself was so advanced and complete when built, that it served the needs of the Newport community for more than 50 years before any significant changes were warranted. In the late 1980's, Mr. Edenbach's sons, Charles Jr. and Robert, paid tribute to their mother and father by extensively renovating the funeral home and dedicating a new funeral chapel to their memory.
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In 1964 Mr. Edenbach's son, Charles A. Edenbach, Jr., joined his father as a licensed funeral director after graduating from Holy Cross College and receiving his funeral director training at the New England Institute. With his son now sharing more and more of the responsibility of the funeral home, Mr. Edenbach Sr. and his wife Loretta (Sullivan) Edenbach began to enjoy traveling.
Charlie lived in the funeral home with his young family and they and grew the business with the help of his wife Joan (Egan) Edenbach. They then welcomed his brother Robert S. Edenbach into the family funeral home after he graduated from Fairfield University and later serving with the U.S. Navy. Robert officially began his career at the funeral home in 1970 after also graduating from the New England Institute. |
Charles A.
Edenbach, Jr. |
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Robert S.
Edenbach |
Kurt M.
Edenbach |
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Christopher M.
Edenbach |
In the spring of 1997, Kurt M. Edenbach, son of Charles A. Edenbach Jr., joined his father and uncle in their funeral homes as a licensed funeral director. He returned to Newport after graduating from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and receiving his professional training at Gupton Jones College in Atlanta, GA.
Since that time he has earned the certification of Certified Pre-planning Counselor to assist with the preplanning services of the funeral home. He is a member of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Association. In September of 2003 he married Meaghan O'Neill Edenbach and they live in Newport. He now volunteers his time by serving on the Board of Directors for the Newport County YMCA, Robert Potter League for Animals, and is a member of the Newport Yacht Club and St. Josephs Church. Kurt enjoys snowboarding and sailing in his free time with his wife and their son. |
In September 2003, Charles A. Edenbach Jr. died from cancer at age 63, and left behind his wife Joan, and four children, Christine, Charles III, Kurt and John. He left a legacy of selfless service to his community that his family and dedicated staff still aspire to follow.
In 2004, Christopher M. Edenbach, son of Robert S. Edenbach, joined his father and cousin in their funeral homes and has been serving as a Licensed Funeral Director since August 2008.
In 1996, Chris received his BA in American Studies and African-American Studies from Trinity College, Hartford, CT. After moving to Washington, DC to pursue a career in politics, he received his Masters in Information Systems Development from George Washington University in 2003. Chris graduated in December 2007 with an Associated Degree in Funeral Service from the American Academy McAllister Institute in New York City, NY. In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling, sports, music and spending time with his family, friends and golden retriever, Jackson. |
