We Remember
KUHN, Charles Richard “Chuck”
January 10, 1936 — January 28, 2025
Charles “Chuck” Richard Kuhn, born January 10, 1936, in Whitemouth, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, at the age of 89 in Kelowna, British Columbia, due to complications of vascular dementia.
Son of Ferdinand “Fred” & Olga Kuhn (née Munk), Chuck was born at the midpoint of a long lineup of siblings. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1958 with a degree in Pharmacy. His career spanned decades, first as an employee of Moiser’s Pharmacy (Cloverdale, BC) and subsequently as the owner of North Kamloops Pharmacy (which he later sold to Shoppers Drug Mart).
In 1959, Chuck met Betty through a memorable blind date swap at a Port Alberni Jaycees convention. After just six dates and a four-month separation while Betty travelled to Europe, Chuck met her plane with a ring in hand. They married in June 1961 and built a life filled with love, family, and adventure.
Chuck was deeply committed to public service. He served as a board trustee for the Kamloops School District and participated in other local civic organizations. A dedicated member of the Rotary Club of North Kamloops, he served as Club President, District Governor for International District 5060, and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. His involvement took him around the globe, from many parts of the US, to South Korea, as well as India to participate in PolioPlus. With Betty’s help, Chuck fostered lifelong international connections through Rotary, hosting numerous exchange students including Pinky (Philippines), Ally (Australia), Carlos & Gerardo (Mexico), Jesper (Denmark), Markus (Germany) and Andrew (South Africa). The Rotary Four Way Test guided Chuck’s view of the world and how he interacted with others in it, so it is no surprise that he explicitly requested it be included in his obituary:
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Chuck was an outdoor enthusiast with multiple sporting interests. He excelled in volleyball and hurdles during university, and continued to enjoy alpine skiing, curling, golfing, hiking, fishing, and biking into his 80s. These fuelled adventures such as hiking the West Coast Trail (with his brothers Al, Norm, George & Bill, all in their 70s), and sailing off the coast of BC and on Shushwap Lake. He also earned CTFA certification that allowed him to officiate jumping events at high level track and field competitions including several Canada Games and the Commonwealth Games (Victoria 1984). Chuck also competed in dance contests on his own in high school & university, and together with Betty in later years. They could cut a rug and ruled the dance floor, especially when it came to jive.
Chuck’s adventurous spirit was matched by Betty’s as they visited every continent together, including Antarctica when he was 82. They travelled by plane, cruise ship, railway, car, and even camel over their nearly 64 years of marriage. They weren’t afraid to strike off on their own, but also enjoyed the company of family (especially Pat and Norm), as well as friends like their “cruising gang”.
Chuck is survived by his beloved wife Betty; daughter Sue & her partner Dave Rathnow; son Steve & his wife Kelly Maddox; grandchildren Ileana & her fiancée Skender Spaho, Mattias, Harper, and Willa; and countless friends and loved ones. He is predeceased by his siblings Hannah, Audrey, Bill, Edward, Norman, Nelson, George, Ernie, Herman, Violet, and Sylvia; and leaves behind his brothers Alfred, Arthur, Ken & Don.
Chuck was the kind of friend you could phone and say, “Can we come for dinner on Friday, and stay overnight, and there are eight of us” and you know he would say yes. And, he rarely turned down an offer of a single malt whisky.
His legacy of service, adventure, and kindness will be cherished by all who knew him.
To see & hear more about Chuck and his life, please refer to tinyurl.com/charleskuhn. The family appreciates your support and requests that any floral tributes be replaced with donations to Rotary International Foundation Polio Plus Fund .
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
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Rotary International Foundation Polio Plus Fund Link: my.rotary.org/en/polioplus-fund
Condolences
Betty, so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband Chuck. I recall with great fondness working with you on learning styles for my masters degree in education. You were truly an inspiring teacher who I looked up to with great respect. Condolences on your loss.
I spent a lot of time growing up in the Kuhn household, both at the house on Popp St. and on Huntleigh Crescent. Needless to say, Chuck had a big influence on me (and Betty too, of course) – whatever I am today is in no small part due to them. He really personified the ‘gentle’ in the word gentleman – I cannot recall him having a bad word to say about anyone. He was always magnanimous, generous with his thoughts and wisdom. I have a fond memory of a cycling trip that Chuck, Betty, Steve and I did from Banff to Kamloops – hard work for sure and sometimes scary especially with the truck traffic in the snowsheds. We managed to get to the summit of Roger’s Pass just around sunset and Chuck made the decision we’d stay in the hotel rather than set up tents – I learnt a good lesson about weighing options! Thank you for everything Chuck (including helping lift my Dad’s car back onto your driveway one rainy, muddy night!).
Auntie Betty, you and Chuck have always been an enormous influence in our family. My parents, Pat and Norm, loved traveling with you two or on the golf course or around the dinner table. Thank you for all the good times, special memories I will carry with me all my life. I love you both. Chuck will be missed.
My sincere and deepest condolences to Aunt Betty and the whole family. I have very fond memories of spending time with Uncle Chuck, Aunt Betty and the Kuhn family growing up.. They were wonderful times of games, swimming, chats and so much laughter. I deeply appreciate all of your love and support and feel so thankful to have had those moments together. Sending love and prayers to you all..🙏❤️🌹
I met Chuck in 1976 when my wife, Jean invited her newly met friend Betty to our home for dinner. We were new to Kamloops. That dinner was reciprocated so many times, our get together were labeled by Steve, “food wars”.
In time our two families vacationed together, celebrated each others birthdays and after we ended up being neighbours, offered extra rooms and a fold up cot for guests.. I have long considered Chuck to be more than a friend and more like a brother. Betty, and Susan, and Steve and all of the grandchildren; may your memories of a remarkable, generous, loving man sustain you at this time of mourning. mi casa es tu casa.
Deepest condolences. Chuck and Betty were awesome supporters of the music programs at MacPark Jr Sec and NorKam while I taught there. Overly generous in every way and an outstanding citizen in the community. I will cherish the memories.
Chuck was a doer and he did many things and went many places with Betty. He represents for me the brother who connected me to my “bench of brothers” when I was growing up and the one who made the effort to connect me to family when I first left Vernon at 18 to attend UBC and when I had my own tribe we always stopped and stayed with Chuck and Betty in Kamloops. My girls knew Sue and Steve as flesh and blood cousins, and Chuck as the uncle with a face of family. , Chuck “showed up” when you needed him. This picture taken in Portage is one of many that shows Chuck in a tie, braces and number 5 from my bottom end. I remember my first day of School sitting beside my brother Chuck at his desk. He was kind to me. Chuck was the last one combing his hair before we ran down the long driveway to catch the bus. Chuck had, what we now call, “soft skills” in an unmeasured cup that spilled over. Chuck was glue in our common family of origin and continued as one who connected his friends strangers to his own family with Betty , Sue and Steve. To me it feels like Chuck’s spirit of connection is a continuing reality.. Four of those shown in this picture still continue our own journey but there we also have a kind of unbroken circle in a sweet bye ‘n bye. . Chuck left a warm fire that I hope Betty, Sue, Steve and the family can feel on their hands, within their hearts, and in their doings too..
Dear Betty,
My deepest sympathy to you for the loss of Chuck. You two were a fantastic pair. I had the pleasure to work with you at George Hilliard School in Kamloops as a beginning teacher. You were an amazing support to me new to the profession. You were such good neighbours to my friend Eve Hyde in Kamloops. Kindest regards to your family.
Chuck attempted to teach me to ski in BC in 1982, I was 25 and on my first visit to Kamloops with Ally and we had been married only a couple of years, there was a lot of standing-up and falling down – he was a very patient teacher. Years latter Poppa Chuck introduced our three daughters to skiing in Calgary. We always appreciated the effort that Chuck and Betty made to visits us several times down under. Our daughters loved those visits and the opportunity we has to visit Canada as a family. Poppa will be sadly missed by us all and we tender our condolences to all of the Kuhns family on his passing. Poppa Chuck will always have a special place in all of our hearts – Ally, Chris, Jessika & Jacob, Sarah & JonPaul and Emma.
Betty, I am so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. I know that this loss will make a huge hole in your life as the two of you had such a wonderful life together. Please accept my sincere thoughts and sympathy at this difficult time.
Marina Witt-Taylor
Dear Sue and family, I have wonderful memories of Mr. Kuhn as a kind and gentle person. Please accept my sympathy.
Dear Betty,
I was so shocked an saddened to read of Chuck’s passing. You two were part of the Kobayashi family on Popp Street and you brought me into Rotary in 1995. Chuck will be missed by many people whose lives he touched in his quiet way.