Charles Kemp "Chuck" Planner

Charles Kemp "Chuck" Planner of Federalsburg, Maryland passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, MD. He was 81.
Chuck was born February 18, 1944 in Easton, MD to the late Joseph J. and Martha H. Planner. He grew up in Preston, MD, attending Preston High School for 11 and 1/2 years; graduating from Colonel Richardson High School in 1962. He was proud to be a member of the last senior class to attend Preston High School and to be the first graduating class from the newly established Colonel Richardson. Chuck attended Frostburg State College, graduating in 1966 with his Bachelor of Science in Education. In college, he was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity; serving as their historian and Business Manager. He also served two years as the President of the Men's Physical Education Club. He received letters in baseball, soccer, football, and student training.
After graduation from college he began what would become a 30 year career and a lifelong passion for teaching. He taught Physical Education for 1 year at Federalsburg Elementary School, he then transferred to Colonel Richardson High School. For the next 29 years he taught Physical Education, Drivers Education, and Hunter Safety. He also spent many years as the Athletic Director, as well as coaching football, baseball, soccer and girls softball. He also was the class advisor for several classes and was especially loved as the class advisor for his son's class of 1989.
Chuck's love for teaching didn't stop at the end of the school day. He taught swimming lessons in Williston Lake for the Red Cross in the 1960's, and continued teaching swimming lessons in the pool at his house for many years. For several years he taught swimming with the migrant education program during the summer at Preston Elementary School. He taught EMT classes, mainly on the Eastern Shore, for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI), for 30 years, and tested EMT classes for the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). He also taught Instructor I & II for MFRI. Chuck loved hunting and the outdoors which led him to serving almost 48 years as a Hunter Safety Instructor, his instructor number was 19. In 2016, he was inducted into the Maryland Hunter Education Program Hall Of Fame, of which he was quite proud.
Chuck had a great passion for service to his community. He spent 63 years in the Volunteer Fire Service. In 1962, he joined the Preston Volunteer Fire Company, later transferring his membership to the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company. There, he became a Life Member serving as Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Firefighter, Ambulance Captain, EMT, Parliamentarian, Fire Police, numerous committees, representative to the State Fire Convention, and received Firefighter of The Year Award. He also volunteered as an EMT in the Emergency Room during the early days of the program.
He was a member of many civic organizations. In his early years he was Scout Master in Preston and a member of the Junior Order. He was a member of both Preston and Federalsburg Historical Societies, the Honga River Waterfowl, Federalsburg VFW Auxiliary, previous member of the Federalsburg Lions Club and recently became a member of the Idlewild Ruritan Club. Chuck served several terms on the Federalsburg Town Council and held 2 terms as Mayor. He also was a dedicated donor to the Blood Bank of Delmarva.
Chuck had a love for photography, starting Horizon Photography with his friend Duane Hilghman in 1981. For several decades, he took pictures of events, families and weddings. After retiring from teaching, he also opened and ran a framing studio for many years.
He was an avid outdoorsman, spending as much time as he could enjoying his love and passion for hunting, fishing, swimming, golfing and played men's softball for many years. Chuck loved spending time with his family hunting and seeing their joy and success.
In his retirement, he very much enjoyed his time with friends at the Harrington Casino where he always seemed to find a way to win. He also loved to harvest, cook and share with everyone figs from his trees. He loved feeding and watching his birds and hummingbirds, he did, however, have a love hate relationship with the neighborhood squirrels.
Chuck had a larger than life personality and touched a countless number of people throughout his lifetime of teaching, photography and volunteering. It was almost impossible to go anywhere on the Eastern Shore or beyond and meet someone who did not know him.
On December 28, 1968, Chuck married the love of his life and best friend, Judith "Judy"Planner at the Union United Methodist Church in Federalsburg. Chuck and Judy went on to spend 54 happily married years together residing in Federalsburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Judith Planner on August 30, 2023.
He is survived by his son, Charles T. "CT" Planner and his wife Lindsay of Federalsburg, MD; brother, Alan Planner and his wife Darlene of Federalsburg; grandchildren, Brooke Olinde (Mason) of Salisbury, MD, Alexis Smith (Tyler) of Federalsburg, MD; step-grandchildren, Sarah Mooney and Annah Mooney both of Easton, MD; nephew Toby Williamson and his wife Jenni and their children, Harvey and Sophie Williamson of Federalsburg and cousins, Lynn Trice of Preston, Cathy Planner of Palmyra, PA, William C. Torbert and his wife Joyce of Dover, DE.
Service and internment will be private. A celebration of life will be held on January 4, 2026 at 3pm at the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company, 208 N. University Ave, Federalsburg, MD.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to a Hospice organization near you, the Blood Bank of Delmarva (financial or blood) or to the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company.