Chuck lived on my block when I was living in south Evanston and went to Oakton School. My memory is a little hazy but I think he had polio as a kid and because we couldn't make contact with him, we would stand below his window and talk to him. Also, I believe he broke his leg and wore a brace for a long time. When I moved we never connected again. I remember he was a strong and brave little kid and I respected how he handled his difficulties.
Holly, I knew Charles. (Chuck), well through the Boy Scouts, yes he had Polio and wore a brace all through school, his passing was very sad, one of the first to leave us. As I recall the story, after he grauduated he decided to go to SIU, when he turned 18 he ditched the brace much to his parents dismay, I guess they were the 60's type of today's helicopter parents, never really wanting him to do anything, camping ect. Anyway he bought a red Ford Falcon convertable, and was so proud of that car. On his way to Carbondale, I believe in his freshman, or Sophamore year, he was involved in an accident and killed. His parents had the car repaired and it sat in their driveway on Oakton for many years thereafter. Everytime I went past that house I saw the car sitting right in front of the house, and of course remembered Chuck.
Thanks, Richard, for confirming that what I remembered was correct. I had no idea he was killed in a car accident so young and I appreciate your sharing that history with me although it saddens me. How painful to have that car sitting out front as a constant reminder to all but perhaps it gave his folks some solace and made them feel his presence. When I knew him he lived on Reba about two blocks east of Ridge. Is that where they parked the car? Holly Romans Green
I always remember Chuck living on Oakton right across from the school. Didn't know he ever lived on Reba. I remember the brace as well. It's good to know he was finally able to shed it.
Yes the house was on Oakton, white with green or blue shutters, and that's where the car sat for years (always clean), I had a place on Hull Terrace in the seventies and so always used Oakton, and of course saw his car.
We were able to get him up to Wabaningo one summer for two weeks, he had a blast!
Chucks parents bought the Falcon convertable that he died in. He was a student at EIU in Charlston in the fall of 66. I was told that he was making a supply run from an ongoing kegger when he sheared off a telephone pole that dropped thru the soft top of the Falcon and hit him in the head. His sister really wanted me to come home for the funeral but Uncle sam had my undivided attention at the time. I was attending electric school at Keesler polytec in Mississippi and the only way out of class would have been my death. We were very close in HS and as students at EIU.
Holly Romans (Green)
Chuck lived on my block when I was living in south Evanston and went to Oakton School. My memory is a little hazy but I think he had polio as a kid and because we couldn't make contact with him, we would stand below his window and talk to him. Also, I believe he broke his leg and wore a brace for a long time. When I moved we never connected again. I remember he was a strong and brave little kid and I respected how he handled his difficulties.
Richard Darling
Holly, I knew Charles. (Chuck), well through the Boy Scouts, yes he had Polio and wore a brace all through school, his passing was very sad, one of the first to leave us. As I recall the story, after he grauduated he decided to go to SIU, when he turned 18 he ditched the brace much to his parents dismay, I guess they were the 60's type of today's helicopter parents, never really wanting him to do anything, camping ect. Anyway he bought a red Ford Falcon convertable, and was so proud of that car. On his way to Carbondale, I believe in his freshman, or Sophamore year, he was involved in an accident and killed. His parents had the car repaired and it sat in their driveway on Oakton for many years thereafter. Everytime I went past that house I saw the car sitting right in front of the house, and of course remembered Chuck.
Holly Romans (Green)
Thanks, Richard, for confirming that what I remembered was correct. I had no idea he was killed in a car accident so young and I appreciate your sharing that history with me although it saddens me. How painful to have that car sitting out front as a constant reminder to all but perhaps it gave his folks some solace and made them feel his presence. When I knew him he lived on Reba about two blocks east of Ridge. Is that where they parked the car? Holly Romans Green
Carolyn Wyld (Saul)
I always remember Chuck living on Oakton right across from the school. Didn't know he ever lived on Reba. I remember the brace as well. It's good to know he was finally able to shed it.
Richard Darling
Yes the house was on Oakton, white with green or blue shutters, and that's where the car sat for years (always clean), I had a place on Hull Terrace in the seventies and so always used Oakton, and of course saw his car.
We were able to get him up to Wabaningo one summer for two weeks, he had a blast!
Holly Romans (Green)
He lived on Reba when he contracted polio which was when he was quite young. Perhaps they moved after that? I just know I lost track of him. Holly
Daniel Nelson (Nelson)
Chucks parents bought the Falcon convertable that he died in. He was a student at EIU in Charlston in the fall of 66. I was told that he was making a supply run from an ongoing kegger when he sheared off a telephone pole that dropped thru the soft top of the Falcon and hit him in the head. His sister really wanted me to come home for the funeral but Uncle sam had my undivided attention at the time. I was attending electric school at Keesler polytec in Mississippi and the only way out of class would have been my death. We were very close in HS and as students at EIU.