Remembering you today on your 85th birthday.
You were always so supportive of all my activities and lovingly took care of the girls whenever I was at a meeting. At the same time you were an admired and respected leader of the faculty at Whittier College. Yet when you introduced yourself in the community you called yourself, "husband of Margo!" Never one to toot your own horn.
You planned so many great outdoor adventures hiking in the mountains both in California ad Colorado, drove thousands of miles on summer vacations to all parts of the country including New England , Minnesota and the Pacific coast. 
You treated the family to a wonderful vacation in Alaska where we toured in Denali, visited a sled dog training center, and saw hundreds of whales on a great harbor cruise.
Thank you for all the love, for your love of singing and music, and for your care for family and the environment.

Robert Frost said "Good fences make good neighbors".  That was not the case with Chuck Reeg.  Our time with Chuck and Margo was well spent with many grand memories. As our next-door neighbor on a Minnesota lake Chuck was the most inviting, interested, interesting, and friendly neighbor one could have.  We shared time together, sightseeing, on the water, dining, helping with cabin chores. It was a special time and Chuck was a special person. We send our best regards to Margo and her family.

Chuck Reeg Tribute from Bill Geiger

I knew Chuck Reeg since he came to Whittier College until he recently passed away, and I am proud to call him a friend. Other people have discussed Chuck’s importance to the Chemistry Department and about the respect and affection Chuck had as a professor and mentor. My comments will be about Chuck’s role in Whittier College governance and as a lecturer in a general education class, as a backpacker and an environmentalist, as a musician, and as a family man.
I experienced Chuck’s governance as a participant in designing a Whittier College curriculum and as a member of the Personnel Committee. Key to Chuck’s understanding of the needs of a small liberal-arts college was that he graduated from Dana College, a small liberal-arts college. Several decades ago a group of us helped to design a curriculum that would replace the then current modular system. During the planning stage we met daily in a dedicated Wardman Library room, designed our curriculum, presented it to the faculty for discussion and approval, and composed an NEH grant proposal that was granted. This curriculum was excellent, and it lasted for several decades. I also experienced Chuck’s leadership when he sat on the Personnel Committee as Faculty Chair. In all of this committee’s discussions, Chuck evaluated potential and actual faculty from an understanding of how each potential and actual faculty member would be good for Whittier College. He was always thoughtful and non-argumentative. We listened to his comments because we respected his knowledge.
Chuck also gave several lectures in my Western Mind class, a year-long survey of European intellectual and cultural from the ancient Middle East to 1950. The two lectures that Chuck gave several times in this course were on scientific development from 1870-1950 and a lecture on Einstein. Chuck tailored these two lectures for a general audience, and what he said could be understood by all of the students. 
I also knew Chuck socially. He, Gerry Adams, and I went on several backpacking trips. Each trip would begin with a delicious breakfast prepared by Margo, Chuck’s wife. The two trips I most enjoyed were to Cooper Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains and to the back side of Mount Baldy in the San Bernardino Mountains. These trips were delightful: we all got along, had fun talking on a variety of topics, got good exercise, and enjoyed good food. Backpacking was one aspect of Chuck’s environmentalism. He was also an avid cyclist, riding almost every weekday to Whittier College and back home again. He also was sparing with electricity and natural gas at home in order not to abuse these natural resources.
A source of great joy for Chuck was his participation in music. He sang in church choirs and was a long-time member of Chorale Bel Canto, a Whittier chorus that performed several concerts each year that were well attended and enjoyed.
Chuck’s greatest commitment was for his family. He loved Margo and his two daughters and their families. I well remember how at dinners Chuck would love telling us all that was going on in his family life. Chuck was a dedicated family man.
I was privileged to have known Chuck. He was indeed a remarkable person, and he will be long missed.

    Bill Geiger, Emeritus Professor of English

Today I'm thinking of you on your birthday and remembering all the won derful years we spent together raising our beautiful daughters and enjoying doing so many projects together, from building our "Watergate Wall" to fixing our cars (you did the real work and I handed tools), painting and wallpapering. Your lasting legacy with Whittier College is based on your dedication to liberal arts education and to your desire to make each student a success.
I also treasure all the trips you planned for us as well as all the spur of the moment side trips we took to explore new and not always well-known sites like the Prisoner of War Museum in Atlanta, NB.

You were always so kind, low-key, supportive of me and the girls, and ready with a wry quip or an apropos story. I love you.

This summer Margo scattered Dad's ashes along the hike up Long's Peak in Colorado, a place that Dad loved. We also gathered as a family at the lake in Minnesota, boating out one clear morning as several eagles circled overheard, and scattered more ashes into the deep teal water there. This lake flows into the Mississippi River and was a place Dad spent most summers for decades.

I just added Dad's name to the memorial in DC. "This art exhibition blankets the National Mall with over 660,000 white flags, showing the magnitude of our loss as a nation, while honoring each person who has died from COVID-19."

https://www.inamericaflags.org/?fbclid=IwAR1nnJOPcZZUcwvtu_XqoD0VrcoqLiWCvpA7hI0FQyUJhI2usOxf6uhlweM

Bill Geiger, Emeritus Professor of English

I knew Chuck Reeg since he came to Whittier College until he recently passed away, and I am proud to call him a friend. Other people have discussed Chuck’s importance to the Chemistry Department and about the respect and affection Chuck had as a professor and mentor. My comments will be about Chuck’s role in Whittier College governance and as a lecturer in a general education class, as a backpacker and an environmentalist, as a musician, and as a family man.
I experienced Chuck’s governance as a participant in designing a Whittier College curriculum and as a member of the Personnel Committee. Key to Chuck’s understanding of the needs of a small liberal-arts college was that he graduated from Dana College, a small liberal-arts college. Several decades ago a group of us helped to design a curriculum that would replace the then current modular system. During the planning stage we met daily in a dedicated Wardman Library room, designed our curriculum, presented it to the faculty for discussion and approval, and composed an NEH grant proposal that was granted. This curriculum was excellent, and it lasted for several decades. I also experienced Chuck’s leadership when he sat on the Personnel Committee as Faculty Chair. In all of this committee’s discussions, Chuck evaluated potential and actual faculty from an understanding of how each potential and actual faculty member would be good for Whittier College. He was always thoughtful and non-argumentative. We listened to his comments because we respected his knowledge.
Chuck also gave several lectures in my Western Mind class, a year-long survey of European intellectual and cultural from the ancient Middle East to 1950. The two lectures that Chuck gave several times in this course were on scientific development from 1870-1950 and a lecture on Einstein. Chuck tailored these two lectures for a general audience, and what he said could be understood by all of the students. 
I also knew Chuck socially. He, Gerry Adams, and I went on several backpacking trips. Each trip would begin with a delicious breakfast prepared by Margo, Chuck’s wife. The two trips I most enjoyed were to Cooper Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains and to the back side of Mount Baldy in the San Bernardino Mountains. These trips were delightful: we all got along, had fun talking on a variety of topics, got good exercise, and enjoyed good food. Backpacking was one aspect of Chuck’s environmentalism. He was also an avid cyclist, riding almost every weekday to Whittier College and back home again. He also was sparing with electricity and natural gas at home in order not to abuse these natural resources.
A source of great joy for Chuck was his participation in music. He sang in church choirs and was a long-time member of Chorale Bel Canto, a Whittier chorus that performed several concerts each year that were well attended and enjoyed.
Chuck’s greatest commitment was for his family. He loved Margo and his two daughters and their families. I well remember how at dinners Chuck would love telling us all that was going on in his family life. Chuck was a dedicated family man.
I was privileged to have known Chuck. He was indeed a remarkable person, and he will be long missed.

    

Chuck touched my life, and I am privileged to have known him. I will remember his humor and his wisdom, but most of all, his kindness. My sympathy is with his deeply loved family, especially Margo, Heidi, and Kristin (who he told me had a great name, spelled correctly ;).

What a beautiful ceremony and tribute to Chuck, and we were honored to be present. We cried with Margo and Kristin and, yes, Heidi, we laughed at your chemistry jokes...except for groaning at the Argon one. We felt very much a part of his loving community of friends and family who miss him dearly.  Pat and Newt Clark.

I'm grateful that I was at Whittier College while Chuck was there. He was steadfast in his generous, wise, and kind spirit. I will long remember the twinkle in his eyes as he shared a funny story. He made his world a better place. May you go gladly to your new home, Chuck. I will miss you here.

Chuck and I sang in the bass section of Chorale Bel Canto. In fact, we usually stood next to each other. I'm a physicist and Chuck was a chemist, so we shared many interests. I enjoyed his intellect and wit.

My freshman year at WC, '72-73, a group of us who hadn't pledged a regular society formed the Towlsaver Society, a farcical, fun version of the societies. Drs. Reeg & Schambach were our faculty "sponsors"; they enjoyed the fun as much as we girls did! Ten years later, I became good friends with their colleague, Priscilla Bell, and would stop by WC to visit, so I learned to call Chuck by his first name! He was always welcoming. Since my marriage, 20 years ago, Jeff and I have run into Chuck and Margo at many community events; we always enjoyed chatting with them. I am praying for you, Margo, and the rest of the family.

I was a student of Dr. Reeg's, as I continued to affectionately call him even as an adult, in 2000. He was a great professor with a dry, unexpected sense of humor that I loved. To this day, my fondest memory of him is when he told my all time favorite science joke in our bio P Chem class, one that had all of 5 students in it. Not only is the joke funny, but he told it as he was lecturing, to a group of very confused students. When he said the punchline, there was utter silence and then I broke into loud laughter. Dr. Reeg turned to look at us (he had been writing on the chalkboard) and smiling said "Well, I'm glad somebody got that." I turned to look at my fellow students and exclaimed, "Come on guys, that was hilarious!" I've told that story to everyone that knows me and it continues to make me smile to this day every time I think of Dr. Reeg's sneaky smile when he turned to glance at me that day. It's funny how small moments like that can make a lasting print in your heart. With that small gesture, Dr. Reeg became a part of my story forever, and for that, I am grateful. 

I was honored to serve with Chuck for 20 years in the Chemistry department at Whittier College. Chuck made me feel very welcome and comfortable in the department and at Whittier College. We had many conversations and laughs together as colleagues discussing everything from events at the college to sports to politics. We would often tease each other and it helped lighten the mood on a day in which I was harried by many concerns and responsibilities. Chuck was very, very generous with his time. He helped me install part of a fence in my yard and put together a desk that I had just purchased. This gave me the confidence to put together many other pieces of furniture, so he left a lasting impression upon me in so many ways. One of my fondest memories is visiting he and his family at their summer cabin in Minnesota. He had told me so much about the cabin, that I was eager to visit. Fortunately, I was able to do so right after he retired. We were able to enjoy some time in his family's boat on Cass Lake and visit a logging camp museum in a nearby town. I will miss Chuck! May God bless him!

Shared by Joyce Sawatzky on January 10, 2021
Charles was the oldest of us children in our family,so Jan,Paul and I looked to him as an example especially since we are "Preacher's Kids".
I was somewhat jealous in school since Chuck got straight A's and didn't have to study much. I had to really study alot for the grades I got.

 Joyce (Reeg) Sawatzky

Chuck was one of the kindest and most generous souls that I have been blessed to work with and count as a friend. I have so many fond memories of Chuck telling such corny jokes to students to help them feel better and less stressed.  The memory that most sticks in my mind was the time that Chuck walked into my office and told me that he noticed that my tires were close to bald. Because I was commuting a pretty significant distance, he said that I really needed to get them fixed. He came back about an hour later and said that he had measured my tires, figured out which brand would be best, called around to garages to find out who had them in stock and hand drew me a map about how to get there. It was a busy end of the semester so I assured him I would take care of it in the next week or two. Of course, Chuck has been right and when I woke up the next morning I had a flat. I immediately called Chuck who assured me that as long as I kept my speed reasonable, I could drive to Whittier and straight to the garage and he would pick me up there and drive me back to campus. He was so thoughtful and clearly was in his element when he was helping people. My deep condolences to his family whom he loved so very deeply.

Dear Margo, I just noticed your post about Chuck and it brought wonderful memories of him and you and my eleven years at Whittier from 1997-2008. Chuck was a delightfully funny, thoughtful and supportive colleague whom I always appreciated and fondly remember.  His openness, generosity, and his wonderful, sharp, good wit shaped my time at and perspectives about Whittier in a way for which I am forever grateful.  What a remarkable human he was.  I send sincere condolences and my best regards to you and your family. 

As a friend at Chorale Bel Canto, my memories are simple, but firm. As I knew Chuck, his wry sense of humor is what first comes to mind. But the most meaningful memory is of a person who calmly accepted others for who they are and made it quietly clear that he cared about the best for them. Never a cross word. Instead an ability to place a sense of calmness in me, by the gentleness of his demeanor.

When I arrived at Whittier College in the Fall of 2003 as an Earth and Environmental Science major chemistry class quickly ended up in my repertoire of classes that needed to be taken. This is where I found Dr. Reeg. His kindness, patience, knowledge are all things that I will remember but what will forever stick out the most in my mind was his sense of humor. The subject did not come easy to me but he was always right there to give me guidance and a chuckle to help me along in my labs. Thank you Dr. Reeg for helping to shape my Whittier College experience and always being a friendly face in the science building! 

I was one of Prof. Reeg's students back in the 80's at Whittier College. He taught a difficult subject with grace and humor. Even if I didn't absorb everything at the time - much of it came back to me when I took Bio-PChem in graduate school. The last time I saw him was probably 20 years ago when I made one of my rare trips to campus. He was sitting on a bench outside of the Science Center and he immediately knew my name. I don't know that I would have been able to do that with one of my own students after such a long time. As an undergraduate college professor myself, he is definitely one of my role models. He taught me how to treat my students with caring, compassion and understanding and enjoy them while you can. His memory will remain with me and all of the students he taught and influenced over the years.

Chuck and I met through our wives who themselves met at kindergarten with our eldest children (now 48). It was a natural from the beginning: college chemistry prof & high school physics teacher. We shared many interests beyond science, notably tinkering with things mechanical and trying to fix them when they broke, camping with our families and later, as empty nesters, road trips. We were fortunate to visit with Margo and Chuck on many occasions at their cabin in northern Minnesota and many tinkering adventures took place there, especially with recalcitrant boat motors and garage door openers. (Let it be noted that these activities never included the installation of a whole house fan in our home.)

And then there is the blue Volvo station wagon, an under powered but sturdy (Swedish steel) vehicle that took the Reeg family several hundred thousand miles. It often(!) required road side repairs and Chuck was always prepared with duct tape, baling wire, and a repair manual. When it stopped for the last time, in Whittier, Chuck looked at it, thought for a moment and just walked away...enough was enough!

Speaking of the blue Volvo. A special skill of Chuck's must be mentioned. When preparing to travel, it was Chuck's job to load it up, to pack it with everything a family of four might need. I can bear witness that when he had finished there was not a cubic centimeter of space available. Not one! He was a master.

We miss him. He was just the best friend one could wish for and the whole Longman family was blessed to know him.

I am saddened to hear of Chuck’s passing but thankful that he has peacefully completed his final journey. I sat next to Chuck for many years in Chorale. We had many wonderful conversations and discussions on topics near and far. He was always so interested in hearing about our family and my thoughts on current events. Like my father, easily one of the most friendly and caring individuals I had the privilege to call friend.
There were times near the end of his singing career when he was frustrated with things and never complained or expected special treatment.
I have missed him these past years and apologize for not reaching out and inquiring. Chuck is in my heart and knowing him has contributed to my being a better person.

Chuck and Margo were an institution in our neighborhood when Hans and I moved in next door in 1994. We instantly connected for many reasons - our son needing tutoring in science, Chuck's love of car repair, his joint appreciation with Hans of wood working.
One afternoon during finals week, Chuck came over looking for a distraction from grading papers and found Hans struggling with replacing the radiator in his van. Chuck's face lighted up like a kid and asked if he could help. Hans stippulated he could help only if they shared a bottle of wine during the repair. Since Chuck took the lead in the repair, Hans got the best of that deal!
Chuck was always up for a visit and he and Hans often shared a Coors Banquet together. We can hear him now joking and laughing and will hang onto those memories for the rest of our days. Rest in peace Chuck - we love you.

Chuck gave me a warm welcome to Whittier College. He was a wonderful friend and mentor at the beginning of my teaching career. He was one of the kindest and most empathetic people I have known. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could always make me laugh when I needed it. Chuck had a special talent for seeing the best in everyone. I am forever thankful for his friendship and kindness.  My condolences to Margo and the rest of the Reeg family. 

Chuck and Margo arrived at Whittier College about the same time Bob and I did. It was during a time of great change for the college, and for colleges everywhere. We will always remember how the faculty worked together to preserve the great academic traditions of lifelong learning. Whittier today is stronger and more impressive because of its faculty.

Chuck was a great role model for me when I came to Whittier as a young faculty member. He welcomed me into the Whittier College community and I served on the Faculty Executive Committee when he was Faculty Chair. I sang with him in Chorale Bel Canto and it was fun when I got to sit beside him in choir. He always had a funny quip. Sometimes people mixed the two of us up when we sang in choir. At one Christmas concert I sang a duet with one of our sopranos and an audience member came up to Chuck afterwards and congratulated HIM for a great duet. I got a real kick out of that. He was a lovely man and will be missed.

I knew Chuck from the many times he helped Margo and the Whittier LWVs at our events. My favorite memory is the day of our ill-fated film festival. We had worked hard to put on a festival of films relating to voting and elections. We had a venue at Whittier College. The day of the festival it poured! The roof leaked; we thought we had to cancel. Chuck came to our rescue—
moving us to a large auditorium in the Chemistry Department— ensuring we had all the space and equipment we needed - and helping with set up of the films, food and everything we needed. All the while he was quietly cheerful— he was our hero.

I didn't know Chuck very well. I met him several times with Margo at various LWV events. He was always friendly and ready to help as needed. I was always impressed at how much support he gave to Margo and her many activities. He was always there for her. A wonderful attribute.

We are joining the chorus of Whittier College faculty who were greeted and welcomed by Chuck. During our first year in 1999, he invited us to lunch in front of Wardman with the back row weighty Quakers. Chuck consulted on our car repairs and recommended places for services that we still use today. When we bought a house, we did install a whole house fan because he encouraged it. More than these acts of kindness, however, he was such a considerate and positive man who also could stand up for the faculty and advocate for academics at Whittier College. We will miss him and appreciate him showing us how to be faculty. Andy Wallis & Anne Sebanc

I think of Chuck every time I turn on the whole-house attic fan that he helped me install several years back (and, reading the other posts here, I see I'm not alone!). It was a pleasure to sing alongside him on Monday nights for over twenty years in the bass section of Chorale Bel Canto. He was a wonderful man, and I'll miss him deeply.

Dear Margo,
I just found Chuck's obituary online. I had been thinking about you with all the Covid in California, and wanted to see if your number was online. I was shocked and saddened by what I found. I can't imagine what you must have been through caretaking for so many years to keep him safe and then the irony of losing him to Covid, right before Christmas. Your daughter created the most beautiful website, and we keep going back to it. Chuck could be funny and he could be very serious, but the biggest smiles I ever saw were in those photos with your grandchildren.
We are grateful for his life, and for your love and support and friendship. I hope you and your family have escaped the Covid. Pat & Allan Splittgerber

Chuck and Al went through graduate school together and often found relief from research stress by hiking in the Boulder area. He and Margo have remained good friends for 56 years, and we enjoyed many visits at their cabin.
They were wonderful friends, and Chuck will be missed by everyone who knew him.We are sorry for his suffering in his later years but are thankful he could be at home with Margo. His life was a celebration of so much goodness. This is a wonderful tribute from his family.

Chuck & Margo were our next door neighbors at the cabin. We really enjoyed their company as well as their invitations to dinner with drinks on their screened in porch and dinner inside. Jack & Chuck were good friends as they met in early mornings to chat while they repaired boats, mowed the grass, or just had fun joking around with each other. Chuck had a wonderful sense of humor and a gentle manner. Jack went fishing with him, and you can see in the picture the big fish Chuck caught. Chuck was just a few days older than Jack. Chuck will be greatly missed at Pike Bay by all those who knew him.

I met Chuck when I interviewed at Whittier College for the soon to be open position in physical chemistry. His kindness, wit, and intelligence came across immediately and it was clear that he was leaving a huge, positive mark on the College as he headed into retirement. I admit that I felt a combo of guilt and awe to be sitting in the same seat Chuck resided in for so long. We spoke on a regular basis afterwards, sharing physical chemistry jokes that seemingly only we appreciated, along with pictures and stories of his beautiful children and grandchildren. He also covered for me and taught a difficult semester when I was on maternity leave with my second child. What a relief it was to know that I had someone to lean on. Thank you, you will be missed, Chuck, but certainly not forgotten.

As I read these wonderful tributes to Chuck, my cousin’s husband, I feel a bit cheated. My family was only able to spend intermittent time with Chuck and Margo’s while at our respective family Pike Bay cabins. I didn’t know the esteemed colleague, story teller, jokester, or singer that all of these tributes consistently share.
What I did know was a kind man who loved his family very much, and a man of honesty, integrity and gentleness.
I look forward to a time when I can sit down with Margo, Kristen, Heidi, and the rest of your family just to hear those Chuck stories.
I pray that each of you find special ways to honor Chuck’s very purposeful life in those stories, laughter, and cherished time together. Hugs to all of you!

from Nancy Hensel:

Chuck was a man of value. He valued his family and friends, his profession and work with Whittier students, his participation in Bel Canto Chorale, and his time in the Minnesota cabin fishing, water skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. I valued Chuck’s gentleness and kindness. He and Margo welcomed me into their family when my son married Kristin. He loved the grandson we share and his grandson loved him.  He told great stories about his growing up experiences and made us all laugh at family gatherings. Through my own work I met a professor who worked with Chuck and she shared experiences about Chuck’s generosity and how he was supportive of junior faculty in his department. He was a true gentleman and he and his wife raised two wonderful daughters.

Margo, thank you for allowing palliative care be a part of Mr. Reeg's team. We were very fortunate to serve him and you during the last chapter of his life. Because of your dedication, he was able to be home and pass surrounded by his family. I am grateful for your willingness to be present and love him. Thank you for the donations as they have assisted people in need. 

Dear Margo, I was saddened by the news of Chuck's passing. I did not know him as he was earlier, a capable and confident professor, but later in life when his dementia was causing a toll on his general well-being. I will always remember your devotion to him, your love for him, and taking him to his many doctors visits. It provided a strong witness of the power of love even in the difficult times. My condolences extend to your daughters. Losing a father is one of the hardest things we daughters face. You all remain in my prayers. I hope soon you all will be able to sense Chuck in little signs and symbols. I rejoice that he is now at peace and joy, seeing God face to face in that great cloud of witnesses. Much love to all of you, Pastor Stephanie Lape

I can only second what Wendy and many others have said about Chuck. We met over 50 years ago when he joined the faculty. We served on many committees together and competed in the Chemistry-Political Science bocci ball on-going tournaments, which had a traveling trophy until it was stolen by a student. Chuck always impressed me with his intelligence, thoughtfulness, integrity and fairness in dealing with faculty issues. He was totally dedicated to the welfare of Whittier College and its students.

But as so many have said, his most endearing quality may have been his wonderful sense of humor, reflected in some of the "letters" he wrote and read to the faculty. Whenever I think of Chuck, it brings a smile to my face. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and colleagues at the College and in the Whittier community.

Mike McBride

Such very sad news—especially at a time when we can’t gather in person to celebrate this very special life.

As an only slightly younger colleague, I was fortunate to have Chuck among my mentors from the very beginning of my time on the faculty. He was the chair, in fact, of my very first committee; and I went on to serve with him on many others, including FEC, which he chaired more than once—always with humor and grace.

Socially, too, I was also fortunate to know the hospitality of Chuck and Margo—and to sing with Chuck in Chorale Bel Canto for nearly 20 years. Margo was always in the audience, cheering us on and staying behind to celebrate almost every concert.

No one in our community was kinder, funnier, more positive and supportive than Chuck—deservedly and widely esteemed and loved.

Like other Friends we have lost in recent years, he was among those who truly embodied the Whittier Way.

I already miss him, and look forward to sharing his virtual memorial.

Pax et bonum,

Wendy Furman

When I arrived at Whittier in 1993 I went outside my office to eat lunch on the bench in front of Wardman Residence Hall. After a few minutes Chuck came along and asked if he could join me, and then Joe Fairbanks, Irene Carlyle, and Steve Overturf. I didn’t realize I was encroaching on their lunch spot but they very warmly took me in. We ate lunch there for years until one day the bench was inexplicably removed. Chuck showed me the ropes and taught me the lore. His gentleness, generosity, and of course humor shaped my experience of Whittier College in a way for which I am forever grateful.

Chuck was a dear friend for nearly fifty years, and memories of him flood my mind. When we had been at Whittier for just a few months, Chuck gave up a Saturday to help us move. He convinced us that a whole-house fan was a good alternative to air conditioning, and he helped (actually I assisted him) install it. He was a founding member of the geezers and codgers bench (at the time, when we were in out 30s, it sounded funny) where a group of us had lunch together probably thousands of times. Chuck was not just an organizer he was an attraction, both for his stories and wonderful laugh (and groans at particularly corny tales told by Joe Fairbanks and Phil O’Brien). He cared about the planet with actions as well as words. One winter he, Margo, Kristin, and Heidi endured the entire season without turning on their furnace. With family and friends, he hiked, fished, canoed, and cross-country skied. He was a leader of the Whittier College faculty and a key promoter of the Whittier Scholars Program and of pairs in the general curriculum. He cared about students as persons and as learners in the classroom, the laboratory, at plays, concerts, and athletic competitions. He was a joy to be around at Steve and Patti Overturf’s annual Christmas dinner and in later years with the infamous “gang of eight.” Chuck was smart, caring, decent, hard-working, ethical, and a lot of fun. He was a person everyone could count on when they needed advice or just a listening ear. One particular set of memories go back to the 1970s and 1980s. During those years, Chuck usually rode his bike to the college; but when it rained or he had an early meeting, he often would call for a ride. Our daughter, Julie, just seven or so when the tradition began, liked answering the phone and would be the first to pick up the receiver. Soon the two of them would be bantering and laughing. This went on for years, until Julie left for college. By the time I got to the phone, Julie was laughing, Chuck was laughing, and not knowing why I was laughing. How wonderful to begin a day hearing Chuck laugh.

CHUCK WAS ONE OF THE BEST FRIENDS I EVER HAD! A TERRIFIC COLLEAGUE AT WHITTIER AND A TREASURED FISHING BUDDY. WE MADE MANY FISHING TRIPS TOGETHER AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT GROWING UP IN THE MIDWEST AND I TALKED ABOUT LIVING IN A COPPER-MINING TOWN IN ARIZONA. HE WAS ALWAYS HELPFUL, EVEN COMING OVER TO OUR HOUSE AND "HELPING" ME TO INSTALL A WHOLE-HOUSE CEILING FAN. HE DID ALL OF THE WORK AND I "HELPED" BY HANDING HIM THE TOOLS. I MISS HIM ENORMOUSLY!!

David Hunt's Tribute:

Chuck and Margo were the first Whittier College couple I met. Chuck had the keys to Steve and Patti Overturf's home, which Alison and I were renting while Steve and Patti were in Copenhagen, so Melgar Drive was our first stop when we pulled into Whittier in August 1981 after a cross-country drive in my VW bug. I don't remember if it was then, or on a later visit to Chuck and Margo's home, that I had my first experience of the classic Midwestern treat: apple pie with cheddar cheese. On another occasion, following dinner, Chuck brought a thick folder into the living room and patiently explained to this clueless first-year professor the intricacies of TIAA/CREF. Chuck was a friend and mentor on campus, always going the extra mile (as when he helped my daughter design a high school science project). And such a dry wit! No one told a story like he did. A life well lived--may he rest in peace.

-David Hunt

Chuck made me feel welcome from day 1. He was fundamentally kind and caring, and always the funniest man in the room. He told great stories, and great jokes, and he always made everyone feel a part of things. Most important to me, he was a great father, and an amazing grandfather.