Charles Allan Emerson (Chuck) died on Monday, May 25, 2015, at his home in St. George, Utah. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Chuck died due to complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Chuck was born May 24, 1945, in Virginia, MN, to Charles Ralph Emerson and Mary Ellen (McKenzie) Emerson.
Chuck grew up in Schofield, WI, with his sisters, Jeanne and Cathy. As a young child he learned to ski at Rib Mountain. He attended D.C. Everest high school, where he was a member of the high school ski team and played French horn in the band, which was directed by his father.
As an accomplished French horn player, it was only natural for Chuck to pursue a career in music education. He was selected to play with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra in the summer of 1966. He earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in 1967. He later earned his Master’s Degree from UWSP and continued on to earn his administrator licensure.
He met Anita R. Jackson while attending college at UWSP. The two were married on July 13, 1968. They remained happily married for 46 years until Chuck’s passing.
Chuck spent his entire career as an educator in the Stevens Point Public Schools from 1967-2003. He taught band at the Elementary, Junior High and High School levels and also served as the District Music Coordinator. Under Chuck’s leadership, the music program in Stevens Point developed into one of the best in the state. In fact, in 2002 Chuck was recognized as Administrator of The Year from the Wisconsin School Music Association.
In 2003, Chuck retired from his career in education and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. Chuck loved spending summers at his lake home in Lac Du Flambeau, WI, where he enjoyed one of his favorite family pastimes…being the ski boat driver. He even got the chance to water ski on occasion. Winters were spent in St. George, Utah, where he learned to golf and play pickleball. He also enjoyed hiking and tennis and loved getting together with friends. He continued to travel often as well, visiting many national parks and skiing with friends and family in Colorado and Utah. He also continued to pursue his love of music by playing his horn in the Dixie State University Symphony Orchestra.
He was always active and particularly enjoyed skiing with his family and friends including high school ski coach and life-long friend, Bryce Gribble. It could be said that Chuck was “addicted” to skiing. He planned many ski trips with family and friends to resorts in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. It was always a treat to ski at his favorite ski resorts, Snowbird and Alta in Utah.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Anita Emerson in Lac Du Flambeau, WI/St. George, UT; and his sons, Andy Emerson (wife, Amy) in Las Vegas, NV; and Dan Emerson (wife, Katrina and son, Tyler) in Janesville, WI. He is also survived by his two sisters, Jeanne Emerson in Weston, WI; and Cathy Cheng-Foust in Wausau, WI.
He was predeceased by his infant son and his parents, Charles Ralph Emerson and Mary Ellen Emerson (McKenzie).
Friends and family enjoyed Chuck’s sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh. He always had a joke ready to tell and was particularly fond of Ole and Lena jokes. In honor of Chuck’s passing, please learn a new joke and share it with someone.
As a result of ALS, Chuck experienced what it was like to have a disability, and he would like to help those with disabilities experience water skiing and other water activities.
Please consider making a tax deductible donation in Chuck’s memory to:
Northwoods Adaptive, Skiing, Inc., PO Box 259, Woodruff, WI 54568
Cremation will take place at the Cremation Center of Southern Utah in St. George, UT.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date during the summer at the family lake home in Lac Du Flambeau, WI.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.serenitystg.com/obituaries/.
