This memorial website was created in memory of Charles Chakoumakos, 88, born on November 6, 1925 and passed away on July 21, 2014. He is out sailing on his last and final voyage.
Tributes
Leave a tributeAlso think of him when I attempt to cook something Greek.....I'm never without fresh lemons thanks to Chuck. jane
Once, during my senior year while I was applying to grad schools, Chuck devised a lab for us to do and I spent the better part of a Thursday doing it..a sunny Thursday when my mind was outside playing frisbee. I think it was an AA analysis for aluminum. Anyway, the lab didn't work out and I went to see him the next day to find out why. He looked over the method he'd given us and admitted it had an error. I whined about the wasted time. No way was I repeating it. He lost his temper! "You think that's how life works? You think they're going to just hand you a master's degree?!??" It was a good lesson I needed to hear. Part of growing up. I received my MS in geology 3 years later.
One of the best professors I ever had. Thank you, Chuck
love Sofia Rose Como Chakoumakos
Rosemarie Russo
I was with him the night before he died and he managed to open his eyes and smile.....he was ready to give up the fight. I miss him.
PS....he loved my dog, Beau
"Mr. C." had just left industry to teach. We were very surprised and ultimately blessed.
Mr. C. explained to us that as we were all interested in careers in science or engineering that our particular class would be two periods long each day and our labs would be on Saturday mornings (he had already received agreement from the football coach). We noted Saturday mornings would be ok but we wanted breakfast. I still think that both Mr. and Mrs. C were surprised when the class arrived at their home on the first Saturday at 7am carrying eggs bacon etc. and wanting to have breakfast. I recall that while the girls from the class helped Mrs. C in the kitchen, the boys were put to work assembling the swing set for their children. Then, after breakfast, off to the lab for the morning.
Mr. C bought special college level text books for us with his own money, asking for reimbursement only if we could afford it. When there were industry meetings in the area, Mr. (or Mrs.) C would attend, then convince the guest speaker to come meet with our class the following morning. What a wonderful course, and I am so appreciative, as my freshman chemistry class the following year was made very easy.
Following my career in Engineering, Finance and Consulting I am now teaching. I believe my focus on students and their learning is in part a result of having spent a year with this wonderful man.
I am blessed to have been able to stay in touch with Chuck all of these years.
Best wishes to Mary Alice and the family. May there be many happy memories.
Dave Hapke
Mentor, teacher, friend, an icon passes.
God Bless Mary Alice and family.
Jim Grippe
I will always remember the day he came onto the stage dressed from head to toe in his fireproof hazmat suit. He had so much fun stringing "nylon" from that reaction. I am so grateful to have been a Chem. student and lab assistant of Dr. Chakoumakos and to have had foresight enough to write a couple notes to him over the years thanking him and his family for their help through those college years.
Bryan and family members, I can only imagine how you will miss this wonderful man. His integrity and kindness will be paid forward through many years.
Chuck loved to fish and he did love his family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom and Colleen Reynolds
RIP Chuck, you are not fogotten.
-- Marilyn Shea, Department of Psychology
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My Dad taught me to fly fish
I don't think of it as a curse, but some do. Fly fishing generally necessitates being outside in beautiful areas, connects you to nature, and makes you conscious of man's impact on the planet. Did my Dad realize all of that when I was a kid? Probably, but he never said such words. As a parent, he was more inclined to letting you find your own way. He did stress the importance of education in all that he did. He was the first in his family to go to college. He always encouraged us in whatever our interests seemed to be. My own schooling went beyond his, and I know that made him very proud. I am grateful that he gave me the fly rod to quiet the chaos that often surrounds us.