I met Chuck when I was teaching with Janet

I met Chuck in the early 70’s when Janet and I were fellow teachers in Cincinnati. Janet and I were best of friends, and she shared so many stories!  I forgot that they met at a dance, and this reminded me of all of the dances she and Chuck attended when I knew them. It was a big joke between Janet, our friend Nancy and me that Janet was out buying a new pair of shoes again, because there was yet another dance to attend. This seemed like a weekly event!  On Fridays Janet would be out the door when the final bell rang and we’d laugh about her running out to get new shoes before the dance that night!   

Chuck was interested in everyone and everything!  There were many many weekend camping trips when the kids were little. Janet would report on a Monday that on this trip Chuck took them to a toothpick making factory, or something crazy like that.  He just didn’t want to miss anything! 

I still can see the treehouse that Chuck built for Greg in their back yard. The day of Greg’s funeral we sat on the patio. I remember Chuck coming up to Janet, putting his hands on her shoulders, and saying, “Janet, what do we do now?”  Many couples relationships don’t survive this most devastating experience, but I knew in my heart that their bond was unlike no other.

Chuck was also my financial advisor, and we just talked in December.  I just trusted him and thought he didn’t need to tell me any of the details, because I knew he was doing the right thing. We usually ended up talking about Deborah, Ken and the kids. I was so glad that he kept me  up to date on what Nick and Elizabeth were doing. I’m going to miss my chats with Chuck, but knowing his life and goodness live on in his family gives me peace.

-Cindy