My Flashback photo today is of my father. This photo was probably 1950-51-52??
Dont you LOVE the 50’s look? I sure do.
Charles.. the man, the myth, the legend…
Quick Life sketch:
His name was Charles but he went by Chuck. His mom called him Chuckie…Little Chuckie.
Chuck was born in the early 40s in Michigan and had his mother wrapped around his little finger.
Chuck was very athletic and social and outgoing. He played tennis and golf. He was a swimmer. Every sport he could play well–basketball and baseball. Everything he did was golden. Horseshoes, bowling, cribbage, euchre…he was a natural.
He was the life of every party . People flocked to him, He was a natural leader.
He had 2 sons from his first marriage. When he met my mother, he adopted her son as his own. They then added me as the caboose to their family.
Although he was raised in a strict Lutheran home, he ended up joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the early 1980’s.
His career was in the restaurant industry and was able to travel quite extensively for work.
When he retired and settled down , he devoted his time to his grandkids and family and church callings.
Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago from an aggressive case of Multiple Myeloma.
Things everyone remembers
Whenever people talk about my dad, or reminisce, they always tell me the sweetest things.
I hear, “Your dad was just so funny. He was so quick witted”. That seems to be the one thing that people really appreciated about him. He could tell the funniest joke and not crack a smile. Everyone else would be in tears and he would be sitting there relishing the hysteria he had created.
My aunt told a story at his funeral that when their mother would be cross with him for misbehaving he would tease and cajole and make her laugh and make her forget he was supposed to be punished. He had that effect on people.
“He was a great boss.” He was a champion of the underdog. After he retired he started his own business and hired a lot of people. A few of those people I would have said “no way” to. He had a soft heart and always wanted to give people the best shot to succeed. Those employees that I would have turned away ended up being the most loyal workers. This really was an example to me of not judging a book by its cover and seeing the big picture.
more chuck
“He served the Lord and he served others.” He was always first to volunteer his services (and volunteer his family) if anyone needed help. He taught me the value of giving help to those who need it. If it wasn’t uncomfortable or inconvenient, then it didn’t count.
He always made time for others, even if he was swamped with other things on his list.
“Chuck always knew the best places” Traveling anywhere? He had probably been there and could give you a few places to visit and a restaurant recommendation or two.
“Chuck always looked nice”. You would never find my dad in anything wrinkled, faded, holey, ripped or scuffed. His shirts were dry cleaned and starched within an inch of their lives. Suits were impeccably tailored, his pants pressed with the proper pleats. His shoes never had scuff marks. Hair was always in place, always clean shaven, and he always smelled like green Mennen aftershave. I think he took pride in his appearance, just like his dad.
Other things I remember
He loved history and archaeology. I remember as a kid we would have to go to the civil war battlefields . It would be so hot and miserable, the kids on verge of a revolt. He loved it. When I was in college I did study abroad. All the ruins, cathedrals, walls, bridges and castles…he almost lost his mind when I showed him the pictures. He was so excited for me (and jealous too.) Chuck loved exploring new places.
He always asked thoughtful questions when trying to get to know someone. He was very open and a friend to everyone and could talk your ear off. No one was a stranger.
He always made sure we had a good vacation. The beach, the lake, the mountains. We visited all the national parks, and by the time I was 14, I had been to almost all 50 states.
He had such good memories of traveling with his family as a child that he wanted to instill that same love in us. Although I do think I may be the only one who inherited that” thrill of adventure” gene.
He hated green peppers. He loved Mincemeat pie (blech). His favorite food was pork roast and sauerkraut, and Thanksgiving was his favorite meal of the year. My mom hates greek food, and when we lived in Chicago we had this amazing little gyro place near us. If my mom was working late or we were out running errands together he would say, “want to sneak down to get a gyro? Don’t tell your mother!”
He was generous to a fault.
missing him
My dad was my biggest champion. He always pushed me to be the best at whatever it was that I wanted to do, and gave me every opportunity to succeed.
When I was discouraged he helped me make sense of things.
Chuck sure that I had those life experiences that I wanted, like study abroad and traveling and going to college out of state.
I miss him every day, but I know that he is proud of me and watches over us.
