Richard E. Chartier

"Dick" Chartier. Remember when he bought a pool table for the basement of the Congregational Church? That´s where I learned to play. He knew how to get young folks coming to Congo Club. We lived a few houses away and I babysat for little David who must be in his 60´s now. They had a large print of Guernica in their dining room. This painting and explanation by Rev Chartier of Picasso´s work instilled in me an interest in artists and art history. I´ve had the pleasure of being an artist for...

Remember a trip I took with Rev. Chartier and the Congo Club to Chicago to do some work in a black area. The Rev. was active in the civil rights movement, and insisted on bringing these issues home to Platteville, which then was almost all white. I also remember marching with him in 1968 after MLK's assassination. That was an eye opener for many in Platteville. The Rev. would be right in the thick of the current "Black Lives Matter" movement and the demonstrations after the murder of...

Dear Chartier family,

I was confirmed under Rev. Chartier and what I learned from him was invaluable. I started at the Platteville United Church of Christ (First Congregational) at the age of seven when we moved to Platteville from Hurley Wisconsin. I continued working in the nursery, singing in the choir, and attending "Congo Club" until I graduated from high school. I am now married, living in a small town in Wisconsin and a member of their United Church of Christ. Oh how I miss Rev....

Here is a photo taken April 21, 2016 of the memorial bricks recognizing Rev. Chartier's tenure at the Platteville church. May his memory last forever.

Dear Chartier Family,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard. I have fond memories of him (and your family) during your time in Platteville. Richard was a force in our family that often surfaced as I was growing up. My father often quoted "I'm OK, You're OK" which was part of a sermon delivered by Richard. He certainly had a way of resonating with our lives in ways that were lasting and challenging. I'm sorry that the Darrows and Chartiers have lost touch with each other,...

Rev. Chartier positively influenced a whole generation of young people in Platteville - and not just members of his church. I ended up in ministry myself, and he was a chief inspiration for me.

I vividly remember seeing Mrs. Chartier sitting near the back of the sanctuary with very young children. I would love to be in touch with them now, either on Facebook (Jim Pfefferkorn) or email [email protected].

Photo is from my confirmation in 1966.

Richard Chartier was the minister in Platteville during my teen and early 20s years, and he left an indelible impression on me in so many ways. His liberal thinking opened up a whole new world to me, and his various opinions on religion and politics made me do some serious thinking about topics not foremost in my mind at the time. I'll never forget him. He married Jody and me in 1970, and we visited him later when he and his family moved to Green Bay and lived on the shores of the Fox River....

Rev. Chartier was hugely important to my family in Platteville. I think he helped shape the characters and politics of many of us for the better. We young people (now in our 60s!)loved him. I never knew he was from Springfield, right down the highway from where I live now.

Rest in peace Rev. Chartier. Remember you from "Congo Club" in Platteville during the mid to late sixties. Many in Platteville remember you fondly.