In Memoriam: Charles “Chuck” Whittick ’61

Charles "Chuck" Whittick, a longtime educator, coach and community friend, died Sept. 24, 2022, at age 83. Whittick was born in North Bend, Ore., on Jan. 6, 1939, to Eugene and Signie Whittick. He attended North Bend High School, where he lettered all four years in the varsity football and basketball. The school didn't have baseball in high school until his senior year, but he still garnered an athletic scholarship for baseball to Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. Whittick attended Pacific University and proudly wore the varsity Boxer uniform all four years while pursuing a degree in education.

While attending college, he met his future wife, Barbara Haglund. They married in August of 1961, just two weeks before he started teaching at the junior high school in St. Helens. Through the years in St. Helens, Whittick coached football, baseball, and softball at various levels. He was the first coach when girls softball got off to a very successful start. He gave 32 years to the St. Helens young people as a teacher, coach, athletic director, mentor, and loyal friend. He then extended that help another 29 years after retirement. He also served as a commissioner for the Fire District Civil Service Commission. His main interest was the St. Helens Sports Boosters Club. He was chair of the committee dedicated to getting a new grandstand for the football field and was especially proud of how the community got behind the committee’s many projects.

Whittick was preceded in death by his daughter, Maureen Whittick Beckman. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara; son, Michael (James Dingman); sister, Shirley (Doran) Tolliver; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family friends.