Austin Wheaton

We met Pudge and Mary for the first time in 2006 in Honolulu. Therese was assisting us in a custody case in Washington and we had invited her to come and visit us. She asked if she could bring her parents and we said yes, we would be delighted to host them. The day finally came when they were arriving and we were waiting in baggage claims with the traditional lei greeting. We spotted Therese first and waved to her. Pudge and Mary waved back a little tentatively, but with warm smiles. John and I both agreed later, that at that moment we felt as though we recognized and had know both Pudge and Mary all our lives. We wanted to shout to them” Where have you guys been! We’ve missed you!” We collected their bags and chatted excitedly about what we had planned for their visit. After getting the bags, we continued chatting like old friends as we waited for the car, on the drive home, during dinner, sitting on the lanai, watching the sun set, and right up to the time for us all to turn in. Therese was there but we were focused on Mary and Pudge. The conversation continued the next morning at breakfast and as we went sight seeing. When we got home that afternoon we were still talking. Therese asked if she could borrow the car and we said yes. Later she told me that she felt “ like a third wheel” and wanted to get outta there. We talked about everything under the sun with the Wheaton’s. We learned how Pudge had gotten his nick name. How they had met. How John and I met. The history of the property. You name it and we probably talked about it. We ate together and traveled all over Oahu together, kicked back and relaxed together, and TALKED for two wonderful weeks. When it was time for them to leave, we were already planning for their next visit and we had even convinced Mary that the Inter- Island Cruise would be fun. She was not enthusiastic about it at first; she could not quite see herself being cooped up on a cruise ship for a week. We continued planning the visit via phone calls and as the time approached, I think we were all a little nervous about the cruise. We did that first cruise and had a wonderful time! When we got back to Oahu, it was Mary that suggested we do another cruise somewhere, together. Pudge was delighted and very excited to plan our next adventure. That is how our friendship developed and we always looked forward to every new adventure. We continued to travel together over the next 19 years. There were trains, planes, automobiles, and cruise ships. We saw Alaska, Barcelona, Rome, Cairo, Malta. We saw the fall colors in New England, ate lobster at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, Traveled to Mexico and Central America on a quest for Mayan ruins ( another pile of rocks as Pudge called it). We took car trips to Canada to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford and to Spring Green. We visited Mt Rainer, and cruised the Puget sound. We did seemed to have an uncanny knack for unusual situations on our trips. We were in Rome as car bombs were being detonated outside of Vatican City and riots going on at the coliseum. We left New York Harbor the day before hurricane Sandy hit, we were in Luxor and Cairo the week before Arab Spring and the rioting and looting there. We were flying through Heathrow after they had been shut down for a snow storm and a credible airline bombing threat. We flew into Chicago in a blizzard on Christmas Eve and found out that none of our luggage had made the trip with us. As you may know, it is not easy to travel with friends. Even family can be difficult at times. With Pudge and Mary, it was always a joy. We managed to roll with the ups and downs of traveling, and still remain good friends. Pudges’ wry sense of humor never failed to lighten the mood, no matter what was happening. He always had a sparkle in his eye and you just knew he was up to some mischief, sometimes, to Mary’s dismay. He also had a serious side, when it came to his love of family, his love for Mary and for his children. He adored his grandchildren and was justifiably proud of all of them. He spoke of them all, often, and with deep feeling. Pudge was and is a dear friend to both John and I. His soul has transitioned to spirit but he will always be with us in our hearts. When we first met him, we recognized him as someone we had shared lifetimes with. There will shared lifetimes in the future. A hui hou, Pudge; until we meet again. Me ke aloha pumehana. With all the warmth of our affection.John and Maureen Herwick

So sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. I got to know Chuck when we worked as counselors in NJSD. I enjoyed getting to know him and Mary better on our trip to Alaska. He lived a wonderful life…peace and hugs to your family.

Mary and family, I’m saddened to hear of the loss of your husband and father. I knew him through working with Mary at NHS and our English department gatherings. My husband also loved talking fishing with Chuck. Blessings to you and yours.

I miss you dad, more than any words could describe. Peace be with you and let us know when you are around watching over us. LOVE YOU! Beep

What a man I would have loved to have known! May all who did have the privilege, remember and live their life as he lived his!