Charles “Chuck” Endler Johnson

Died peacefully after a battle with cancer, surrounded by his family on September 25, 2021. Eldest child of Charles B. Johnson and Ann Johnson. Cherished father to Chase, Dane, and Reese. Beloved husband to Cristina. Dear brother of Holly, Sarah, Greg, Bill, Jenny, and the late Mary Johnson.

Those close to Chuck will remember him for his vision, innovation, and dedication to his family. He might have had a gruff exterior, but that hid a sensitive, kind, devoted son, brother, dad, husband, and friend. He was a loving father to his three sons and leaves behind a beautiful family.

Chuck was born on June 20, 1956 in Germany where his father was stationed in the U.S. Army. After a brief stint overseas, the young family of three returned to their family home in Montclair, New Jersey. At a young age, Chuck became fascinated with investing. He was known to mimic his Father by reading The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s. Even at the dinner table, Chuck would bombard his Dad with questions about stocks and bonds. When the family moved west to California, independent teenaged Chuck stayed behind to complete his studies in high school at Northfield Mount Herman in Massachusetts. He then went on to obtain his undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles. While at UCLA, Chuck also enrolled in many accounting courses which led to his first job at Coopers and Lybrand where he became a CPA. From 1983-1985, he earned his MBA from Harvard University.

Chuck was the first of the Johnson children to start a full-time position at Franklin – in the trading room in 1981. Chuck was always interested in the latest innovation. He purchased and installed the first personal computer for the company. Within five years, Franklin had over 300 personal computers running nearly every department.

In the 1980s, Franklin’s growth exploded which Chuck once described as “like riding a rocket.” Always thinking big picture, in 1986, it was Chuck who expanded Franklin outside of North America for the first time by opening an office in Taiwan, followed by offices in China, India, Russia, and Brazil. In 1992, Chuck negotiated with the late Sir John Templeton (a herculean task) the successful acquisition of Templeton, Galbraith and Hansberger, the largest mutual fund company merger at the time. Chuck spent nearly 20 years of his career with Franklin Templeton, helping the company grow into one of the premier global asset managers.

When he departed Franklin Templeton in 2004, Chuck went on to be the Founder and Managing General Partner of Tano Capital, a family office and alternative asset management firm. Chuck returned to Franklin Templeton when he was named to the Franklin Resources, Inc. board of directors in 2013, a position he held until 2020.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chuck was active philanthropically and served on various nonprofit boards, including the Addiction Education Society which he founded in 2013 and the South San Francisco chapter of the Salvation Army.

Naturally athletic and competitive to a fault, Chuck started playing ice hockey as a young boy and continued through college. He picked up running with his Dad and the two eventually completed the New York City Marathon. He even went on a rigorous ATV ride just two months before his passing.

Chuck’s final gift to us was a reminder to say, “I love you” to the people you care about. Cherish each day, live it to its fullest, and don’t take a single day for granted.

Having Chuck in our lives was much like riding that rocket ship – always a thrill!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Chuck’s honor to the Addiction Education Society.

There will be a Celebration of Life in January.