On May 20, we received the following from NAMM‘s Dan Del Fiorentino:
Charles R. Walter, a pillar in the piano business for nearly 60 years, passed away on Friday. He was 92.
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Charles was hired by the C.G. Conn Company to work in the piano design department back in 1964. While there he worked under the legendary Dr. Earle Kent, the Director of Research and Engineering. When the company decided to discontinue one of their piano lines, Charles saw an opportunity. In 1977, a year after establishing his own piano manufacturing business, he introduced the first Charles R. Walter Piano at the NAMM Show in Chicago. It was the beginning of his own brand and design, which grew into a family business that continues to produce quality instruments.
In addition to running a successful business, Charles was also very active in encouraging music makers of all ages by supporting several organizations including AMC and the NAMM Foundation.
