Goodbye Chuck…
It’s been a Dickensian few weeks for us. Six weeks to the day after Charlotte’s birth, we lost Maggie’s father, Charles Earl Hansing. He was a great man and is desperately missed.

Although there are a great many things about Chuck that I could reflect on, two in particular, stand out. First, he was the most positive person I have ever met. In the 16 years that I knew him I never once heard him utter a negative word about anyone or anything. He saw the best in people and the world around him. Without exception.

(teaching Maggie to ski)
Second, he set the bar really really high. Chuck excelled in so many things - a renowned cardiologist, incredible father to 4 great children, youth soccer coach for 22 years, engaged citizen, alpine climber, Eagle Scout, devoted husband, winemaker, wood carver, historian, photographer…the list goes on and on. He never stopped. In some ways this was intimidating. As a son-in-law, the standard he set as a scholar, father, citizen, and husband seemed impossibly high, but never once did Chuck do anything other than welcome me into his family and provide constant encouragement for the life and family Maggie and I were trying to build together.
In life, and in death, timing is everything. Chuck had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for the last several years. Watching that disease rob him of his genius and tireless will was exceedingly difficult. Over the last year his body began to fail as well, finally succumbing to stomach cancer two weeks ago. He was with his wife, his four children, and one of his closest childhood friends at the time. 6 months ago Duncan, his youngest son, would not have been here as he was still at medical school in California. 6 months from now and Maggie and the rest of our family would not have been there, as we will be in Missoula by then. He was able say good bye to the important people in his life. He lived well, lived happy, and made the most of every opportunity he had. An inspiration to the end.

We named Charlotte in Chuck’s honor and are so grateful they got six weeks together. Chuck is missed, but his spirit lives on in all who knew him. He was a great man and one who led by example every day.
The Seattle Times ran a nice obituary last week and it’s worth the read.
















