Charles R. Nuss

About

University of Washington

Charles Nuss Obituary

Charles Ralph Nuss, age 83 died January 31, 2014 at 2:10 p.m. in the comfort of his log cabin home in Bothell, WA with family and friends. Charlie was one of kind. Born December 18, 1930 in Kingston, Pennsylvania to the late Charles and Naomi Nuss – He grew up in rural Pennsylvania with his sights set on adventure and exploring the world. He would often tell the story of how at age 14, he and his cousin Alden traveled 400 miles along the eastern coast together on their single speed bikes visiting relatives and friends. With a desire to serve his country, Charlie graduated from Kings Point Military Academy in 1952 and entered the Korean War aboard the USS Polk County (LST 1084). Upon discharge Charlie was on his way to a career in power plant operations. His work took him to the heartland of the USA in Louisiana, Missouri where he worked at the Hercules plant and married Lois Mae Bland. Together Charlie and Lois raised three children: Mark, Dan and Russell. The Nuss Family eventually made their way to Seattle, WA where Charlie was offered a position at the Physical Power Plant for the University of Washington. With a desire for gardening and a little bit more of the rural life Charles and Lois with their children moved to Bothell in 1973 where they raised horses and gardened in the warm summer months. Charlie was dedicated to the University and did not consider his position as a "job" but an investment in people that could make the world a better place; he retired in 1996. Charlie was very independent and self sufficient until his last breath! He will be missed by his friends and family. A memorial service is scheduled for February 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. - Cedar Park Church – Chapel of the Resurrection Funeral Home, 16300 – 112th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald (Everett) on Feb. 22, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Nuss

9 Entries

Bruce Rooney

March 1, 2014

Russ, Dana and Mark,
Thanks for the service for your Dad. I first met Charlie in 1971 when I was a student at the U of W and was putting on a picnic for the incoming graduate students. Your dad helped in setting up all of the required power etc. to make it come together and we had remained friends until his passing. I worked with him when I joined the physical plant department. He was a fount of knowledge and experience and as our friendship grew, my family got to know your grandparents and Aunt Sue and Uncle Ron. Your grandmother even made Nuss muss for us at another picnic in lowere Woodland Park and your aunt gave me a set of gold plated escargot cups that Julie Child was getting rid of. I still have them but have never used them. Both Sandy and I will miss Charlie.

Don Renbarger

March 1, 2014

Mark, "Dan" & Russ - I was one of the fortunate and privileged to have worked with your father for many years at the UW. What a glorious winter day for a lovely service.
Us old timers can gain comfort in the knowledge he'll have that power plant up there running smoothly (well, running anyway)when we join him.

March 1, 2014

Russ, Mark, and Dana.

Thank you for the wonderful memorial service for Charlie. He will always be a fond memory, reminding me of our days and years together caring for the University of Washington. We were blessed with a cadre of great support persons, but Charlie really was the most special of all. Your guest's stories were so perfect for the occasion. Everlasting memories. I think, in this case, it is called nusstalgia.

John Heinz.

Laissa Nuss

February 28, 2014

Uncle Chuck was never one to forget my Birthday or support me at my many soccer matches. He was always interested in what I was doing and for a kid at that time, it meant a lot to me and always will. I will miss his peanut brittle and smoked salmon at Christmas. I will miss him.

February 27, 2014

We became friends in 1972 when I started at the UW. We carpooled from Bothell for what he said was 15 years (I would have guessed 50). To the untrained eye we went at it pretty good at work sometimes (we were in different departments) but we were actually best of friends. He never turned me down for any favor (some of them were pretty big) and I hope he would say the same about me. I can say for sure that with Charlie's passing a lot of fun will be gone from my life.

Milt Heger

February 24, 2014

Hello. I did not know Mr. Nuss. Thank you for your service to our country sir. Fair winds and following seas shipmate. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

February 23, 2014

For Charlie Nuss' family from Linda McCune:

Charlie and I shared a music stand in the trumpet section of the Bellevue Community Band for 20 years and we carpooled all those years, since we were the northern-most band members. We stayed friends for another 10 years after leaving the band up until he passed away last month, although I feel our friendship didn't end then.

A person learns a lot about another person while sharing a music stand when the band is rehearsing or performing a concert. Who turns the page? Who is lost on the music page and who points to what measure we're on? Charlie played better than me and I learned a lot from sitting next to him. (I played violin in school but always wanted to play a trumpet, which I started as an adult.) Charlie was quick to remind me that he played a cornet, not a trumpet! (Only brass players will appreciate this!)

Shortly after we met I realized we both were gardeners. He lived near a farm and offered to haul composted manure for my garden. I was more excited than if someone offered to bring me diamonds!

Charlie was my stalwart friend when my husband died and he organized his fellow UW retirees to put a new roof on my leaky house. He even lent me the money for the shingles, which I repaid when I could successfully remortgage my house because it had a new roof.

Charlie was one of those quality human beings who made a difference for having lived. Those of us who knew him know that

Manuel Escobar

February 23, 2014

Charlie, you were one of a kind and a very good friend. I will miiss you greatly but I am glad I had a chance to be your friend.

Russ Nuss

February 22, 2014

Seeing your obituary is surreal and one more step of realization that you have passed on from this earth. So much appreciated the time we had here together. Your death opens a whole new world for me in life and raising my kids and impacting my community and people I meet. Gives me a bigger picture of life. I am sad to see you go but feel empowered to live strong each day! Thanks for your guiding hand even though at times I resisted your discipline. It has made me a better person. Thanks Dad!

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results