So Sudden and So Very Sad, Yet I Hear Laughter

ChuckAt the end of the fall semester we said a premature good-bye to Dave Lucas. Now, as we near the end of the winter semester, we must unfortunately do the same for my dear colleague Chuck Ganzert.

Like many of you, when I first encountered Chuck, I discovered a man with uncommon hospitality, humility and of course a good sense of humor.

I had the pleasure of knowing Chuck for over eighteen years. He was a great colleague and an even better friend. From the minute I set foot in Marquette in the summer of 1997, Chuck and Pish made sure I was introduced to nearly everyone they knew and had me out to their house for meals and social gatherings. I was able to partially return the favor on many Sunday afternoons with Chuck and I cheering on the Packers at my place with our buddy Wally Niebauer.

Chuck with students Mike Picotte (left) and Jason Tarsney (middle) at a Nashville recording session in 1999.
Chuck with students Mike Picotte (left) and Jason Tarsney (middle) at a Nashville recording session in 1999.

Despite his many accomplishments and awards, Chuck was a team player and was always highly supportive of his colleagues, his community and of course his students. Chuck also loved to laugh, and he engaged his students with a sense of humor as well. In fact, the last thing I heard from my good friend was his laughter echoing through the hall as he left for the airport last week. May we all hear his laughter for a long, long time.

 

2 thoughts on “So Sudden and So Very Sad, Yet I Hear Laughter

  1. I will always remember Chuck as a great colleague–a bright and positive person with a can-do approach, and I am thankful for time spent working with him on the Academic Service Learning Board. Jane Milkie, School of Art and Design

  2. Thank you, Dwight, for this lovely tribute to Chuck. Chuck will be missed by all of his NMU colleagues and friends.

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