Charles Chase; Former Times Executive

Charles C. Chase, the printer’s devil who advanced to vice president of operations at the Los Angeles Times, supervising the revolutionary change from hot lead type to cold-type production, has died. He was 76.

Chase, who retired in 1984 after a 47-year career, died Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of leukemia.

“Charlie Chase was about the finest person I have ever known, and that is no exaggeration,” said Tom Johnson, former publisher of The Times and now president of Cable News Network. “He rose through the ranks of The Times, earning the respect and the affection of all those whose lives he touched. He always was for his people, as loyal to them as they were to him.”

Chase began working in The Times composing room April 10, 1937, and over the years saw virtually everything in it change, from the type itself to the machines that created and printed it.

In 1948, Chase became assistant foreman in the composing room and in 1953 he was named supervisor of training and safety. In 1956, he moved to the production department, a year later was named production superintendent, and in 1962 became production manager. He was promoted to vice president of production in 1968 and vice president of operations in 1977.

Chase took time out during World War II to serve in the Army Air Corps in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and in Florida.

He is survived by his wife, the former Estella (Pat) Salisbury, and five daughters, Nancy Chase Kallenberger, Carolyn Chase Carvalho, Mary Jean Chase Field and Patricia and Teresa Chase, and 12 grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled at Pierce Brothers Mortuary in San Gabriel from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in St. Luke’s Church, 9451 Broadway, Temple City, and burial is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Resurrection Cemetery, Monterey Park.

The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Rosa Azul Foundation, 231 Walnut Ave., Arcadia 91007. The foundation, which Chase co-founded, supports a school for the disabled in Brazil.