Stuvengen, Charles, BMC

Charles Gilmour "Chuck" Stuvengen, died on November 30, 2011 at Sun Valley East, Beloit, a victim of Alzheimer's Disease and its side effects. He was born in Janesville on November 16, 1926, the son of Charles Levi and Kirsten Gertrude (Schneeberger) Stuvengen, Orfordville. As a young child, he moved with his family to Galveston, TX, to follow his father's profession as first baseman with the New York Yankees organization, as backup to Lou Gehrig. While a student at Ball High School in 1944, he dropped out to join the Navy, obtaining his GED while in service. One of his proudest moments came on Veterans Day 2001, when he was presented his real diploma from Ball High and a citation from the Governor of Texas. When he returned from World War II, his family had moved to San Francisco, California, and after a short term at City College of S.F., he entered the electrician apprenticeship program at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard. Chuck and the former Barbara "Bobbe" Poole Lundgren were married at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, Nevada 54 years ago on July 5, 1957. They lived in San Francisco until 1965, when they moved back to Orfordville, and he became a Maintenance Electrician at General Motors and member of Local 95, UAW, retiring from there in 1989. Chuck's Navy career lasted nearly 44 years. He served on active duty in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War. He retired from the Navy Reserve as a Chief Boatswain's Mate in 1986. He was a member of Kenneth S. Wells American Legion Post 209 (Past Commander), SAL Squadron 209, Kienow-Hilt VFW Post 1621, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 376 (Past President), U. S. Naval Institute, Navy Enlisted Reserve Association, and Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association. He served on the Governor's Commission on the USS WISCONSIN, several State and National committees of The American Legion and life member of ANAVICUS (Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada/US). Until he retired and became more active himself, he was often known throughout the Legion as "Bobbe's Husband". He was a member of Bass Creek Golf Club, a former member and Past President of Decatur Lake Country Club, and longtime secretary of the Orfordville-Footville Golf Association. He was a member of Orfordville Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Council for over 20 years and several years as representative to Lutherdale Bible Camp. Burial in Orfordville Lutheran Cemetery.