Roll Call Tribute

Charles M. Abrams 

March 14, 1941 - June 3, 2024 

On June 3rd, 2024, Charles Abrams, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 83. Charlie was born on March 14, 1941, in New York, New York to Harry and Alice Abrams. He was the oldest of 6 siblings. Married to Mary “Janet” Walker on July 9, 1966, they raised three sons, starting out in Alexandria, VA, and then settling in Walnut Creek, CA, where they lived for over 35 years.

Charlie gained his Civil Engineering undergraduate degree from Manhattan College and a Masters of Transportation Engineering from Texas A&M University. His career began working for the Federal Government in Washington D.C. It was there that he met and fell in love with Janet and began their family together. In 1979, as his career grew, he was given the chance to relocate across the country to the Bay Area and chose Walnut Creek as his new home. Charlie founded his own traffic engineering consulting firm, Abrams Associates Inc., in Walnut Creek, CA in 1985. Successfully operating the business until his retirement in 2018, handing over the company to Stephen, who is still operating it today.

After serving on various city commissions, Charlie was elected as a Walnut Creek City Council member in 1996. Reelected three times, he served until 2008 and was Mayor of Walnut Creek in 1999-2000 and 2003-2004. He was known for his no-nonsense approach and good sense of humor. He cared very deeply and was always very proud of his accomplishments while serving the City of Walnut Creek. He was also a Walnut Creek Little league coach and a Walnut Creek Soccer Club referee. Each for 10+ years, long after his kids had moved on. Charlie and Janet were known for their generosity and willingness to help friends in need. Their home was always open to those who needed a place to stay. They especially enjoyed spending quality time with their grandchildren. Charlie was a Grand Master Bridge player and, in retirement, made a great many friends playing in tournaments and at bridge clubs in Boise and Portland.

Charlie is preceded in death by his wife, Janet, his father, Harry, and his mother, Alice. He is survived by a daughter, Tina Hartman and husband Cap, with whom he was re-united in 2020 as her birth father, along with his three sons, Stephen and wife, Chirstine, Andrew and wife, Michelle, and Peter and wife Karmel and his four grandchildren, Matthew, Lindsay, MJ, and Mary. In lieu of flowers, contributions in remembrance of Charles Abrams can be directed to the Lesher Center for the Arts.