Staples, Charles_Remembrances - Chicago Hyde Park Village

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Remembrances of Charles "Chuck" Staples

October 6, 2926 - August 16, 2022

Kevin Eatinger: I had the good fortune to meet Chuck around 2009. I was working on a book of photographs of the Chicago Cultural Center, when a friend of mine, who knew Chuck, put me in contact with him. Chuck was working as a docent at the C.C.C., and had been for sometime... AND was instrumental in its preservation by saving this iconic building from the wrecking ball. He showed me his files and documents he still had in his possession (the brunt of documentation resides at the Chicago History Museum now) of the enormous efforts put forth by many in order to save this unique gorgeous Chicago landmark.

So I asked if I could use some of his writings in my book of photography. He happily agreed! He and his wife Joan are exceptional people, as I had come to find out.

Gary Ossewaarde: Chuck was a Hyde Park institution for over 70 years. and a member of most of its institutions. I served with him on the board of Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. He was a regular at public meetings and arts events. Joe would know him. And a regular at HP Historical Society events.

Kathy Huff: I called Joan this morning and had a good chat with her. We have known Chuck and his wife, Joan, since we first moved to Hyde Park in Fall, 1973-for 49 years already! They are also our neighbors who live across the street from us at 1321 E. 56th St. They are members of the CHPV, were active members in the HPHS, and Joan was also active in the UChicago Service League and the Hyde Park Co-op Store Education Committee.

They have been great music lovers and attended many musical events and were also constant world travelers until Chuck became ill a few years ago before the pandemic began. Chuck was extremely active in IVI-IPO for many years among other groups.

I met Joan through the Admissions Office at Antioch College when the Director of Admissions paired us together to do a student recruiting event for their office in Fall, 1973, since we both had been Antioch College Admissions Alumni Representatives beginning in the last 1960's. Joan graduated from Antioch College in 1953, Roger in 1969, and I did in 1967.

Charles "Chuck" Staples
October 6, 1926 - August16, 2022

It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we announce the passing of our good friend and member Charles “Chuck” Staples. Chuck left us peacefully on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Chuck wasborn on October 26, 1929 to Harold and Margaret Staples and raisedin Providence, RI. He was the third of four children.

He was a charter member of Marlboro College in Vermont, which had its beginnings in 1947. He later attended The School of the Art Institute, then, on a state scholarship in 1959-61, got a social work education at Loyola and at the University of Chicago and became a social worker in inner city Chicago.

He came to Chicago to attend the Art Institute School in 1951 and began his long association with First Unitarian Church of Chicago, which continued to his passing. He was impressed with First Unitarian's architecture and liturgy, initiated by Rev. Von Ogden Vogt.

In the 1950s, he became very active with the student Unitarian group, The Channing Club, which met Sunday evenings in Woolman Hall; and he shared all duties, including cooking. In 1954, he became a church member. Then Minister Leslie Pennington was an important influence in his life, having helped in times of personal problems in steering him to appropriate resources for help.

He married his dear wife, Joan, in 1963, and she quite soon became deeply involved in the First Unitarian family. His church activities were predominantly in the realm of pledging and fundraising, and he spent some years on the Communications Committee and many years as an usher.

A memorial service is pending family instruction and will be posted in and on First Unitarian communications platforms soon.