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.