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Chuck Richardson
Carl (Chuck) Hazard Richardson, Jr. Born November 23, 1946 in Newport, Rhode Island, the son of Carl H. & Ethel Twigg Chuck Richardson, grew up in Elkhart, Indiana where he was an All-American Linebacker for the 1963 football state champion Elkhart High School Blueblazers. Heavily recruited by most major universities around the country, he chose to apply for and won an appointment to attend the Air Force Academy where he starred on its football team until a knee injury ended his playing career, his junior year. After flight training he commanded aircraft while serving in the Viet Nam conflict where he developed skills as a short takeoff and landing expert in order to deliver troops and supplies in tight and treacherous terrain, under combat conditions. While in country, he was selected to serve as a General’s Aide, a high honor usually given to officers having a potential for career senior leadership. Chuck was selected to pilot the Apollo 14 astronauts, still in their isolation lab, to the Houston Space Center following their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, in 1971. Looking for change, Chuck left the service in 1973 and sought a career in the business world where he studied and became certified, usually scoring perfect scores, in several fields involving insurance, tax and financial planning. Among many other honors was the Air Force Academy dinner that recognized Chuck as the “Outstanding Admissions Liaison Officer of the Nation, 1984”. Always in superb physical condition, Chuck became devoted to swing dancing to which he diligently applied himself and, in a few short years, developed a solid ability and skills which he shared with many others as a friend, partner and quiet teacher. His positive attitude, high standards and supportive demeanor impressed and inspired those he met who will miss his exemplary strengths and caring example. Chuck is survived by his sister, Carolyn A. Davis, his niece, Monica E. Metz, nephews, Troy Carl Davis and Eric Dwight Davis and the woman he intended to marry, Gail Profitt.
Memories of Chuck by his friends.... Chuck Richardson passed away at 3:30
a.m. this morning. I helped him and Claudia some when
they were getting ready for one of his first contests. I use to kid him about
those strong arms and how if he wasn't careful he was going to spin me across
the room (and maybe into the next state...smile). He always worked so hard to
improve his dancing; and as far as I am concerned, his lead became one of the
best around. We stayed at the Mesquite Community
Hospital ER last night until they took Chuck to his private room. He had two other previous dance
partners there last night as well. Barbara Scoggin, his Newcomer Novice
partner, and Claudia Burig, his Novice dance partner. Chuck was surrounded by
people that loved him last night, in addition to his many dance partners. There
were only supposed to be two people in the ER room at a time, but that was NOT
going to happen. So, the nurses graciously kept bringing in chairs for us. Chuck was a wonderful friend, and a
Great Dance Partner. He will surely be missed by all. I enjoyed talking to Chuck one night
at Post Time about a mutual love of ours, flying. He told me stories of his
flying in the Air Force and mine in the Army. We talked for about an hour as I
recall and laughed about how we both did the same stupid things as pilots in the
military and it was a wonder we both weren't killed. It was amazing to me how
two
separate pilots could do the same things and types of things in the air. Well,
he has a good pair of wings now and I'll get mine whenever the time comes and we
can laugh about flying again. Don Duncan sad it well. Chuck has a
good pair of wings now... and they're well deserved. Chuck was one of the kindest Men I
knew. Before I came to town he was already welcoming me. We talked about many
things. One was dancing and the other how he served his country. He always
wanted the best for the dance community and I so loved and admired that. Even
when he ran into obstacles to his vision, he still kept on and made the Omni
happen for us.. - Terry Roseborough Chuck will always be remembered in my heart as a kind and gentle man who loved this dance with so much passion. He truly had the "heart of the dancer"....his spirit will remain with us forever..... - Linda Kuhn The thing I remember most dearly
about Chuck is one of his sayings, the one that I think exemplifies Chuck, "The
Love of the Dance." - Dawn Reyes I never met Chuck. I only know him
through others ... but I have felt a *very* strong connection to him because my
dad had the *exact* the same illness as Chuck had -- and my dad had a very
similar journey. I remember going to the Bass Club for
the first time when I only had a hand full of WC lessons. Chuck asked me to
dance and I warned him I was a beginner and he wanted to dance with me anyway.
We danced and then went to a corner of the dance floor where he showed me some
things, gave me some At 3:40 this morning, Chuck
Richardson peacefully passed away with Gail Profitt by his side, holding his
hand. He had been rushed to Mesquite Memorial Hospital after suffering a stroke,
ending his valiant fight against the cancer that so callously invaded his body. - Dave Cutcomb I find it quite ironic and only
fitting that Lou Rawls is now in heaven singing while Chuck is up there
dancing. I am sure that all our dancing friends that have passed before them
will welcome them both with open arms and will enjoy having another great singer
and another great dancer joining them on heaven's dance floor.
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