Charles S. Preusse

Charles Sheridan Preusse, a former East Hampton resident who served in the Air Force and had a career at the New York Stock Exchange, died on Oct. 3 at the home of one of his sons in Frederick, Md. He was 76 and had pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Preusse, who was known as Chip, was born in New York City on Sept. 23, 1940, to Charles Francis and Josephine Florence Preusse. He attended the Kent School in Connecticut and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. After his college graduation in 1963, he joined the Air Force, for which he was deployed twice to the Pacific region and attained the rank of captain.

Mr. Preusse married Susan Kroner in September 1964 after having been introduced by their sisters. He left the Air Force in 1969 and eventually returned to New York, where he started a career trading in the stock market. He and his family lived in East Hampton full time between 1977 and 1989. 

While here, Mr. Preusse was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he was in the vestry, and the Maidstone Club. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts while his sons were members.

In 1989, Mr. and Mrs. Preusse left East Hampton for Greenvale, S.C. From the early 1990s until 2005, they ran a Budget rental car and truck business together.

Mr. Preusse was a dedicated fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants, and loved playing golf, tending roses, and swimming in the ocean. His family said they were grateful to the staff of the Hospice of Frederick County “for their kind and compassionate care of him during his last days.”

He is survived by his wife and their four sons, Charles Preusse of Bronxville, N.Y., Andrew and Patrick Preusse of Seattle, and Christopher Preusse of Frederick. He leaves four grandchildren. A sister, Sandra, died before him.

Mr. Preusse was cremated, and a memorial service will be held today at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick. The family has suggested memorial donations to that church, at 106 West Church Street, Frederick, Md. 21701, or to the Humane Society of the United States, at humanesociety.org. Condolences can be shared online at staufferfuneralhome.com.