On Saturday, June 6, 2020, Charles “Charlie, Chas, Chuck,” Soeren Chamberlain, loving husband, father, uncle, brother, cousin, in-law, and friend, passed away at the age of 84.

Chuck was born on February 11, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  A graduate of the Central High School class of ‘54, Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Army, Airborne Division, being Honorably discharged at the rank of Sargent in 1958. Chuck soon met the love of his life, Maureen, and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Chuck attended the University of Michigan, earning both his BA in English and Masters in Education.  Chuck thoroughly enjoyed being an educator, starting with middle schoolers at Riverside Junior High, progressing to Northview High School, and Grand Rapids Community (Junior) College, where he taught English and Speech.  A favorite with students, Chuck was also a favorite among his faculty colleagues, serving as Department Chair in Language Arts, eventually retiring as Dean of Language Arts in 2000.  

Chuck was known for his quick wit, his ability to work with others to find the best solutions, love of golf and Michigan football.  He enjoyed telling stories, especially about growing up working in the family dairy on Fulton Street and time in the military, having served in “Las Vegas” during the U.S. military experimental nuclear bomb drops.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Joseph William, his mother Gerda, his brothers Nick and Austen, brother-in-law Pete Walker, and granddaughter Kayla.  He is survived by Maureen, his wife of 60 years, his two amazing daughters Linda Chamberlain and Sandra Ferguson and their spouses Patrick Pullen and Briggs Ferguson, grandchildren Zoe and Johnna Pullen and Alex and Emerson Roth, step-grandchildren Max, Kendall, and Dillon Ferguson, his sister Keren Walker and brother Joe and wife Ellen Chamberlain, brothers-in-law Richard and Gerald Croshaw and his spouse Sharon, and sisters-in-law Carol and Elaine Chamberlain, several cousins, a gaggle of delightful nieces and nephews, and a multitude of special friends that helped keep him laughing.  

On Chuck’s wishes there will be no funeral services. Just take a moment to raise your glass to a good life and know that he will love you forever.   

Donations to the Charles Chamberlain Scholarship Fund through Grand Rapids Community College are dearly and warmly appreciated.   

https://www.grcc.edu/grccfoundation/charitablegiving/donatetogrccfoundation