Chuck Whittey

Chuck (Charles P.) Whittey 1-20-1945 to 8-25-2024 

Chuck was born in Thermopolis, WY but grew up in Seattle and Kirkland. Where at an early age could be found walking to Lake Washington to go fishing. When he was 17 he joined the Navy and spent 5 years as a clerk on the USS Florikan a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship cruising the Pacific. He then received his master’s degree in teaching from the University of Washington. After teaching for a few years and going to school he received his principal’s credentials. He was an elementary school principal in the Evergreen School District in Vancouver, WA. He loved mentoring, preforming for and entertaining for the children. He loved his kids!

In 2000 he retired and moved to the Long Beach Peninsula. But soon became bored and started a weekly publication called the “Beachcomber” Then studied to get his realtors license and sold real estate for a few years. All the while writing his songs, playing his guitar and spending time on the golf course. He enjoyed fishing for the quiet solitude that being on small lakes and streams allowed. The fish? He released them all.

He and his wife Suzy of 34 years were able to travel all over the US, Canada and Alaska. Birding, fishing and enjoying nature. What wonderful times and memories!

But Chuck’s main love (after Suzy) was music. In fifty years he wrote over 300 songs. He started a Jam at the Long Beach Grange call “Kitchen Music” that ran for seven years until Covid shut it down. During that time he had over 125 musicians from all over the country stop in and join the jam. But an average Sunday attendance was about 25 – 30 musicians. He played open mic and concerts at the Preforming Arts Center and created a CD titled “I’ve Been Places”.

He is survived by his wife Suzy, son Michael, his sisters Sharon and Loyce and brothers Lowell, Pat and John, their children, and his great grandnieces and nephews,

If you want to honor Chuck play, sing, or hum a song and dedicate it to him. If you are not a musician then purchase a ticket, go to a concert and that will pay for the musician and the venue. His favorite (non-Chuck Whittey) song is Amazing Grace.