Charles Louis "Chuck" West

Charles Louis West, 83, passed away, surrounded by family, on March 8, 2026, at his home in Macungie, PA.

Born in Syracuse, NY, Chuck, as he was known, was the eldest of three children born to the late Bradford and Lydia (True) West. A proud Eagle Scout, Chuck dedicated his professional and personal life to helping others, always with a deep interest and loving belief in people and the common good. He eagerly passed along his knowledge, kindness and humor as a counselor, teacher, sailor, photographer, community leader, volunteer, father and grandfather.

Chuck spent 35 years as a teacher and guidance counselor for Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES, where he served multiple terms as President of the Directors of Guidance Counselors in Onondaga County. An accomplished photographer happy to share his expertise, Chuck led the Syracuse Camera Club for many years, exhibiting his photos around the region and once winning a first-place award at the annual conference of the New England Camera Club.

As dockmaster and leader of various committees for the Henderson Harbor Yacht Club in New York, Chuck was a cheerful, handy presence for more than 40 years, pitching in on tasks big and small with an approach that was equal parts efficient and creative. Chuck rarely passed up an opportunity to volunteer in his retirement, whether it was serving as editor of his neighborhood newsletter, or as a greeter at his UU congregation, making name tags and welcoming newcomers and visitors. He saw it as his special touch.

Chuck was a passionate learner and conversationalist, always engaged in a book and ready to discuss history, news, politics, religion, finance and sports. As a young child growing up after WWII, he lived in Central New York with his parents in a farming community on Kingdom Road where he attended a one-room schoolhouse. Later, the family moved to DeWitt, NY, where he graduated from high school. He earned an Associate's Degree from Alfred State College (1963), a Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Albany (1965), and two Master's Degrees from Syracuse University in School Counseling (1970) and Marriage and Family Counseling (1985).

In a class at Syracuse University, he met Karen Kunkel of Irondequoit, NY. The couple married in July 1972, choosing first to buy a sailboat rather than a home. They settled in Syracuse close to a large extended Upstate New York family and raised two sons amid a warm community of friends from the May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society.

Upon retirement, the couple took to the road in an Airstream travel trailer that they drove across the country. They also split their time between New York's Henderson Harbor–where they rarely missed a perfect sunset and spent summers sailing as a family aboard the Duchess on Henderson Bay, Lake Ontario, and the Thousand Islands-and a home overlooking the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, NM. With a lifelong love of nature, Chuck delighted in hiking the desert, watching the sun move across the mountains and studying Southwestern geology, art and culture. In 2015, the couple moved to the Lehigh Valley to be close to their grandchildren, expanding their circle to include many new friends from their Wild Cherry Knoll community, church and social justice activities.

Chuck bravely faced his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2025 and was grateful for the support of his family and friends far and wide, as well as the physicians and caregivers of Lehigh Valley Health Network. A teacher, always, he impressed upon everyone he met to meaningfully connect when asking, "How are you really doing?"

Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Karen K. West; his two proud sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas J. West (Melanie), and Gregory C. West (Heather); four adoring grandchildren: Lillian, Lucas, Calvin and Juliette; his cherished siblings, Christine Deane of Lafayette, CA, and Bradford West of Gaithersburg, MD; Ann and Mayra Kunkel who live nearby; David and Gayle Kunkel; Lee and Gail Kunkel; wonderful nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on March 30, with calling hours at 10:30 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m., at Heintzelman – Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown, PA, 18106, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations in support of the Henderson Harbor WaterSports Program, 8397 Cornell Road, Henderson Harbor, NY, 13651.