Charles Porter Case III, 82, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, at his home in Hope, Idaho, surrounded by the mountain landscape and wildlife he loved.

Charlie Case was born on March 18, 1944, in Westfield, New Jersey, to Charles P. Case Jr. and Evelyn Boger Case. Given his father’s career as an industrial engineer, Charlie spent his early years moving from New Jersey to Nebraska, and later to Radnor, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Radnor High School. After the loss of his father in 1960, his mother, Evelyn—daughter of the founder of the Lehigh Valley Cooperative Dairy—raised three children on her own, later building a successful career in real estate in both Philadelphia and Marco Island, Florida. As a young boy, Charlie spent time at his grandfather’s dairy, where he and his sisters were exposed firsthand to the work ethic and discipline that defined his grandfather’s approach to building a business. Responsibility and a strong work ethic ran deep in his family and would remain a defining part of his life.

Charlie’s early passions were rooted in mechanics and speed. He spent much of his high school and early college years building hot rods and racing at local drag strips in eastern Pennsylvania. While working at a Sunoco station in Berwyn, he became acquainted with a young drag racer, Al “Grumpy” Jenkins, and learned at an early age how to tune cars for top performance off the line. Charlie was there during Jenkins’ formative years, before he would go on to achieve national recognition in the early 1960s.

Charlie attended Pennsylvania State University, where he majored in Accounting and met Jo Annalee Young. They later married and moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he began his career as a Certified Public Accountant. In 1971, he co-founded what is now known as Case | Sabatini, a firm that would grow into a highly respected full-service accounting and consulting practice with offices in the Pittsburgh region and Florida, serving clients across the country.

Over the course of his career, Charlie helped build the firm into a trusted advisor to businesses in industries including construction, real estate development, manufacturing, healthcare, and the public sector. The firm’s capabilities expanded well beyond traditional accounting to include tax planning, wealth management, business advisory, and specialized services such as business valuations, internal auditing, and litigation support.

He was particularly known for his work with construction and real estate clients throughout Western Pennsylvania, where his strategic insight and disciplined approach made him a valued partner in complex projects. His ability to combine technical expertise with practical judgment earned the trust of clients who relied on him not just as an accountant, but as a long-term advisor in their businesses.

During this time, Charlie and his family settled in the rural South Hills of Pittsburgh, making their home in McMurray, Pennsylvania. It was there that they raised their children, with Heather born in 1972 and Brian in 1976, both of whom attended Peters Township schools. Charlie and Jo Annalee later divorced and each went on to build their own lives and relationships. Outside of work, Charlie developed a deep passion for golf, a pursuit that became both a personal enjoyment and an extension of his business relationships. He was an avid and competitive player who valued the camaraderie of the game, enjoying many invitationals with friends and clients over the years, including the opportunity to play a few rounds with Arnold Palmer—something he appreciated but rarely spoke about.

In 1995, Charlie expanded his professional pursuits by establishing Scalo Case Development Company, Inc. As a commercial real estate developer and investor, he played a significant role in the development of more than 700,000 square feet of Class A office space at Southpointe Office Park in Washington, Pennsylvania. His projects included the corporate headquarters for Solutions Consulting, which earned the 2000 Master Builders Association award for building construction excellence, and the headquarters for Crown Castle Communications, as well as one of his favorite projects—a 92,000-square-foot office building at the entrance to the park that he named “Fountainhead,” inspired by the Ayn Rand novel.

In addition to his development work, Charlie was an active partner in multiple commercial properties, including three shopping centers and two industrial parks, where he participated in and often led the development, leasing, and sale of retail and industrial space. Over the course of his career, he was involved in the financing, acquisition, and development of large-scale commercial and industrial projects, bringing a disciplined, hands-on approach to every phase of the process.

His firm was recognized as NAIOP Developer of the Year in 1998 and received Project of the Year honors that same year for the Stealth Technology Center.

Charlie approached his work with a quiet intensity and a deep respect for the process of building something well. He was never concerned with recognition at the outset, focusing instead on how something was done and whether it was done right. Details mattered to him, and he brought a level of discipline and thoughtfulness that made him a trusted and sought-after partner in business. Known for his honesty, intelligence, and strategic insight, he earned the confidence of those who relied on him. At times, his lack of concern for recognition left him without the credit he deserved, but it never changed his commitment to the work itself.

He had a lifelong love of the outdoors and adventure, finding joy in golf, boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking, exploring, and especially riding motorcycles.

Charlie shared a devoted 40-year courtship with Angela Kasten’ Cerminara. Together, they built a life centered around the things they loved most—spending time outdoors, traveling, and seeking out new places to explore. Whether hiking through the mountains, boating, or riding motorcycles, they shared a spirit of adventure and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Their years together were defined by companionship, shared experiences, and a mutual love of discovery.

In later years, Charlie developed a deep and personal connection to the land around him, particularly his trees he carefully tended on his property. Even as his health declined, he remained committed to nurturing the natural environment—hauling water, enriching the soil, and giving careful attention to the growth of his trees around him. He took great pride in their care and was deeply affected when any were damaged or lost, reflecting a quiet but enduring sense of stewardship for the landscape he loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger sister, Kathleen Case of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret “Peggy” Case of Traverse City, Michigan; his former wife, Jo Annalee Case of Naples, Florida; his daughter, Heather Sarah Case of Naples, Florida; his son, Charles Brian Case (Stephanie) of Birmingham, Alabama; granddaughters Della (12) and Rosalie (9); his four nephews and their families; and his loving companion, Angela Kasten’ Cerminara of Hope, Idaho, along with many close friends who cared deeply for him.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages planting a tree in his memory, in honor of his love for the outdoors.