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Longtime Alle-Kiski Valley Pediatrician Remembered As Devoted 'country Doctor'

Dr. Charles Ashe is a familiar name for many Alle-Kiski Valley natives — he may even have been one of the first people they ever met.

For about 40 years, Ashe worked as a private practice doctor and, later, as an Allegheny Valley Hospital pediatrician. He was willing to drop everything for patients, as described by family members and former colleagues, to provide compassionate and personalized care.

Ashe, 89, of Plum died in his sleep Monday, May 6, 2024.

Born in Kittanning in 1935, Ashe spent his entire life in Western Pennsylvania, except for a stint at an Army hospital in France in the early 1960s.

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, he moved to Harrison, then Lower Burrell, before retiring to Longwood at Oakmont in Plum. His practice, Charles P. Ashe Pediatrics, opened in the 1960s on Union Avenue in Harrison.

Along the way, Ashe left an impression on his patients that lasted well into adulthood, said his son Phillip.

"I think that's the greatest compliment that 20, 30 years later, he'd have people running up to him saying, 'Dr. Ashe, do you remember me?' " Phillip said.

Former colleagues from Allegheny Valley Hospital characterized Charles Ashe as a model doctor from a time when smaller local health care providers were more common.

"He wanted to make sure that his patients were all well taken care of," said Debbie Mangol, a retired pediatric nurse at Allegheny Valley Hospital. "He'd do whatever he needed for them."

Phillip recalled how his father would stay on-call during holidays, make home visits and even offer two-for-one discounts on checkups for twins.

"He was a country doctor," Phillip said. "If somebody was a little behind on their payments, he still would see them. He practiced medicine because he enjoyed people and medicine. He didn't practice medicine to get rich."

Aside from pediatrics, Ashe had a knack for adventure, traveling to see the Great Wall of China, Dubai and other far-flung destinations.

He also loved to sail, starting off with a small sailboat in Moraine State Park in the early 1970s. Eventually, he'd sail to the Caribbean and Greek islands, among other spots.

"He loved life. He loved kids," Phillip said. "If I learned anything from him, it's OK to be humble."

Dr. Ashe is survived by four children: sons Phillip and Stephen Ashe, and daughters Karen Askren and Kristen Lifton; 10 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. His wife, Jeannie, died in 2015.

A service was held Wednesday at Longwood at Oakmont.

Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024. He can be reached at jtroy@triblive.Com.

Westlake Pediatrician Retires, But Doesn't Give Up On Giving Her Time To Children

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Dr. Alaka Chandurkar and was looking for some programs to get involved in at Westlake Porter Public Library.

That's where she found a music therapy program for kids.

"I talked with Sarah (Rintamaki, executive director and founder of Connecting for Kids) and introduced myself and (she) explained the organization," said Chandurkar.

"She asked me if I would like to join the board -- she asked around 2014."

Rintamaki explained to Chandurkar the duties of a board member, including the financial contributions that are made by all the board members to help in fundraising.

"I saw lots of children with autism and ADHD and Down syndrome, saw how those families struggled to get help," said Chandurkar, who retired from her pediatrics practice in 2022.

"Then, when Sarah told me what they do for the people, the speakers who come in from different medical professions such as music therapy, also psychiatrists and psychologists and sometimes some specific programs for talks to the parents, I said I would be happy to join the board."

She noted that she was happy she was first put on a program committee.

"That is what I enjoyed," she said.

Chandurkar spoke of the different people from other countries who came to Connecting for Kids for help.

"I had no idea what kind of support was available and how to navigate, and sometimes there were issues with languages," she said.

"So, I helped to get those people together."

After almost 10 years of action and contributions to Connecting for Kids, Chandurkar has been recognized for her work with an award -- Board Member of the Year.

"My husband, a cardiologist, had been sick," she said. "One night, there was a board meeting and I wanted someone to stay with my husband.

"So at the board meeting, near the end, Sarah asked me to wait as others were leaving. She and the president, Tish Henry, presented me with the plaque and I had a photo taken. It is a lovely glass award."

Chandurkar is still on the board and still on the programming committee.

"The organization fits right into my professional interests," she said with a smile. "So, I am still a board member."

Chandurkar has two grown children, one a physician and another who is living in another state. She also has three grandchildren.

To learn more about Connecting for Kids and its programs, visit www.Connectingforkids.Org.

Department Of Pediatrics

The Department of Pediatrics of Saint Louis University School of Medicine is based at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, adjacent to Saint Louis University's campus.

The Department of Pediatrics has approximately 150 full-time faculty and another 20 part-time faculty. We have outstanding educational programs for residents and medical students. Forty-four of our faculty were also recognized in the most recent publication of "Best Doctors in America."

Our physicians are proud to be inclusive and to host the region's widest range of payors accepted. Our faculty aggressively innovate in, and support, the primary care setting, but also individualize for the chronic, complex care patients and for those with rare diseases. Basic science research, new drug trials, translational research and educational research are all valued and highly sought after at this institution.

The educational activities of the department include medical students of all levels, 52 resident physicians based at Cardinal Glennon, 20 pediatric sub-specialty fellows, many resident physicians who rotate from partner institutions for pediatric exposure and numerous allied health students. Family-centered rounding, patient education initiatives, music therapy, and links to schools are integrated into this complicated and fast moving health care environment.

Our Leadership Headshot of Andrew White

Our Mission

We strive to improve children's health by providing patient care, education and research in a unique shared environment of inquisitive minds, compassion and respect for human dignity, embodied and fostered by Saint Louis University and SSM Health.

Academic Support

We have a functional relationship with Saint Louis University's Department for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research in the Saint Louis University School of Medicine to facilitate academic projects for trainees and faculty.

Department for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research

Andrew J. White, M.D., is the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He holds the Robert W. Wilmott Endowed Chair and is a professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology. He serves as the pediatrician-in-chief of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, in St. Louis.

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