Charles Edgar "Chuck" Barbour III

August 25, 1951 - March 11, 2014

BARBOUR, Charles Edgar III “Chuck”. Born August 25, 1951 in Philadelphia, PA. Died March 11, 2014 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., NC, suddenly, of pneumonia, while visiting grandchildren en route to Florida for his annual pilgrimage to baseball’s Spring Training. Chuck was the second child born to Ed and Eleanor and grew up in Springfield, DelCo., PA. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Grotberg of their home in Chambersburg, PA and by his first spouse and friend Sue Barbour of Newtown, PA. Loving step-father of Jennifer Uhlenburg (Jeff), Robbyn Kistler (Robert Smith), and Heidi Kistler (Greg Kile). Grandfather extraordinaire to Sophie and Jonathan, Elsie and Clara, and Owen and Sam, who were the delight of his middle age. Brother of Linda Barbour (David Houser), Marianne Barbour (Bill Parks/ Jessica & Heather) and Bob Barbour (Dale/ Neil & Eddy). A son-in-law of two families who soon grew to love and appreciate his uniqueness; survived by Sandy’s step-father Lee Burchinal and his wife Donna Newbrough. Also the much-loved nephew of Joan Barbour Lynch. He was the family connection point for four generations of cousins, nieces and nephews scattered across the US, especially the “little ones” Will, Kayla, Josh, Charlie, Ellie, and Neil Jr. Graduate of Springfield High School, DelCo. (1969) and Shippensburg University (BS, 1996). Electrician, proud third-generation member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 out of Philadelphia. Also worked as a mental health professional in Franklin Co., PA, helping troubled children. Chuck was a good man who in his life fully embraced the values of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), living his life for Peace, human rights and the environment. The Great Spirit of God, the Inner Light which is the force of goodness in this world, informed his spiritual life. Justifiably proud of being an Eagle Scout who never forgot to leave the campsite better than how he found it, he was genuine and straight all his days. Chuck knowingly and willingly was open to give and receive love, and was unafraid to take necessary action—all without regard for what it might cost him to do what is right. As Chuck would say, “What a long, strange [and wonderful] trip it’s been.” Kind, generous and caring. A playful spirit and man of appetite – for ALL aspects of life. “That Flamboyant Friend” – as one Quaker described him to Sandy before knowing they were dating. An optimist who saw the glass as full. Loved (listed in no particular order): ♥ Music, all kinds, played and sung. A choral singer since middle school and most recently in the Mercersburg Chorus. Whistled while he worked. The Byrds and Pete Seeger. The King of Musical Trivia! ♥ Baseball. A perennial Phillies fan for whom there was always another season. Visited all the great historic fields. Challenged his entire life by health issues, Chuck nonetheless shared with Lou Gehrig the courage to live fully: “I am the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” ♥ Kids, water sports, camping--both as a Boy Scout (Valley Forge in winter) and as a camp counselor and water front instructor at Camp Lenape, Fairview Lake, PA. “Marco/Polo.” Best water skier on the lake! ♥ Being “Grandpa Chuck” to his grandchildren, their friends, the children of friends, and…; engaging them in “projects” from fun & games (campfires with hot dogs & marshmallows, hunting heart-shaped stones, home-made T-ball, shooting hoops, stomp rockets, giant bubbles) to using his versatile skill as a handyman to let them “help” with home repairs. ♥ Santa Claus. With a full beard which went white early, round red cheeks, twinkling blue eyes and spectacles, he was a thinner Santa; his Santa hat worn seasonally on top of his Stetson just capped the look, to the amazed awe of children and their parents. It was important to preserve the wonder and the mystery, Chuck believed, as he carefully explained he was one of Santa’s helpers. ♥ Enjoying nature with Sandy: hiking using one of his collection of walking staffs; bicycling, kayaking wherever their travels took them. ♥ Traveling, near and far, New Zealand to New Bern, NC; Kenya for peace work with Sandy (where he was known as “Colorful Chuck”; their annual great Midwest circle tour to see the Grotberg family clan; out west in Tony Hillerman country; Florida (warm, manatees, birds and baseball!). Always ready for the next adventure, by camper, plane or train. ♥ Funny (yes, even silly) teller of tales; a spinner of yarns. Remembered the punch-lines. Never met a pun he didn’t like, which he happily shared with all and sundry. “Do you remember…?” ♥ Walking encyclopedia of thousands of “factoids” – an amazing diversity of subjects collected from his wide-ranging life experiences, reading, and talking to anyone and everyone. Gregarious was Chuck. ♥ In retirement, his enjoyed lunch with the guys-- the “Chambersburg Irregulars” and Franklin Co. colleagues. ♥ Food, ah glorious food. Street trucks (the apprentice gets the coffees); food festivals, Thunderbird cheesesteaks. Third helpings at Thanksgiving,“so you won’t have to put away a little leftover.” Mix it all together on the plate. “If you aren’t going to eat that,…” “Grandpa Juice.” His collection of Tupperware. ♥ Movies. Star Trek. Star Wars. Dr. Who, BBC TV’s Sherlock Holmes old and new, British comedies and dramas. ♥ Gardening. Pop-pop’s Peace rose, then Mom’s, bloomed for Chuck. Tomatoes, flowers. ♥ Not least, in size anyway, is “Stuff” and bags. For Chuck, stuff preserved memories, so he became this generation’s keeper of the 150-yr-old Barbour family quilt. But there was so much more “stuff.” Stuff was things of possible valuable for future projects. Useful wire, wood, and parts. Recycle it. He collected tools (abetted by David), baseball cards and coins. Commemorative tee shirts & ball-caps from places and events tracked his years. And, my goodness, bags to hold anything: giant, large, small and tiny made of canvas, leather, nylon or cloth. ♥ The pets loved over a lifetime. Dogs Ginger, Carmel (who shared his taste in tee shirts) and Sparkles. Guinea pigs Cloud, Snowball and Clover. Mom’s parakeet Tweety. “Grey” the feral cat who adopted Chuck, trusting him enough to come in from the cold. ♥ His intimate and extended family of relatives and many, many friends made and kept over a lifetime. “Nothing will be the same without Grandpa Chuck!” (Grandson Jonathan) Chuck elected to be cremated, which was done in Greensboro, Guilford Co. Sandy has brought him home to Chambersburg. Interment at Norland Cemetery with his parents and Barbour grandparents is to be planned for a future date. And we will have a joyous celebration of Chuck and his life on a day later this spring. Everyone who knew Chuck—and few people he interacted with remained a stranger!—has a favorite Chuck story. Some of the funniest were those he told on himself. So we shall laugh and cry together as we remember and share, and fold him away into our hearts. “’Tis Grace has brought us safe thus far, and Grace will lead us Home.” For those who wish to memorialize Chuck, the family requests that in lieu of flowers you consider making a donation to one of the causes important to Chuck, which we suggest include the Chambersburg Friends Meeting (if you wish, designate a portion to the peace-work in Kenya; address: 630 Lindia Dr., Chbg. PA 17201), the music book publishing project “Rise Again” (sequel to the classic sing-along book “Rise Up Singing” - Quakersong.org ) or any good work for Peace or the environment. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Edgar "Chuck" Barbour III, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.