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Ball State University Indiana University

Charles Atkins Obituary

March 23, 1931 - Jan. 17, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Charles Atkins, lover of life, dreamer of dreams, and maker of music, passed away quietly in his sleep after an extended illness on January 17, 2010. Charles was born in Moberly, Mo., on March 23, 1931, subsequently moving to Richmond, Indiana, in 1944. He attended Ball State, later graduating from the IU School of Music in 1953 where he met the love of his life, Ruby "Ruth" Atkins, who survives. Upon graduating from IU, Charles and Ruth moved to South Bend where he taught clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone and trumpet to thousands of students (and all of his children) throughout the Michiana area for over 50 years. Whether in the classroom or his home on Peachtree Lane, Charles welcomed any and all who sought to learn. No one had a better ear or a more deaf ear. In later years Charles and Ruth realized their dream of retiring to the Myrtle Beach area where he lived until his passing. Charles is survived by his wife, Ruth, and sisters, Maxine Fox of Reno, Nevada, Mary Alice Bledsoe from Piqua, OH, and Norma Kruppa of Brookville, Fla. His children all survive as well, Eric (Barb) Atkins of South Bend, Rachelle (Sherman) Stebbins of Delta Junction, AK, Lisa (Bill) McCarthy of South Bend, Jeff (Aggie) Atkins of Chicago, Teresa (Victor) Jonikas of South Bend and David (Merideth) Atkins of Denver. Charles is also survived by 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Expressions of condolence may be e-mailed to [email protected], [email protected] .

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Published by South Bend Tribune from Jan. 20 to Jan. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Atkins

22 Entries

Rod Pittman

January 12, 2012

Charles loved his students and would do anything for them. He helped me and I consider him a key mentor in my life. I miss him and my hopes and prayers are with his family and all those who were able to learn from him. I will always remember my first lesson with him as I entered college to study clarinet, "Well, we'd better start with some scales!"...Rod Pittman

Dale Kokot

February 5, 2010

Mark Twain said it best:

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

Whether it was the small child playing a solo for the first time,the high school senior playing a group I solo,or the college student playing their senior recital "Charlie" made them feel they could play it great.

The lessons I learned from over 10 years of saxophone lessons with "Charlie" remind me that all we have to do is dream, and of course practice. His legacy will live on for years to come through his thousands of skilled students.

Robert Grimes

January 25, 2010

Our hopes and prayers are with his family. May he rest in peace.

Dawn Forsythe

January 24, 2010

Charles was a great teacher and mentor. I started taking clarinet lessons from him when I was in High School and then again through IUSB when I received my Masters Degree in Saxophone Performance. I often praised Ruth for always being there for Charles. She was always the glue that kept him together. God bless Eric and all of your other siblings. He will never be forgotton.

Marty & Liz Werling

January 23, 2010

Charlie and Ruth gave all 3 of our kids music lessons. We remember them with matching sweaters running from performance to performance at Penn High ISSMA. They truly loved music and were the most dedicated teachers we ever knew. Our thanks for inspiring our children to do their best, and our deepest sympathies. He will be missed.
Marty and Liz Werling

Sue Gadacz

January 21, 2010

In loving memory of Charles. I'll always remember cheering during the Notre Dame football games in Jeff's living room. Charles was their biggest fan, and let them (and everyone else in the room) know it if he didn't agree with the play calling. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Atkins family. Charles you will be missed. Love, Sue Gadacz (Aggie's sister)

Melissa

January 21, 2010

I took private lessons from Charles for many years during middle school and high school in the 90's. He was a great mentor and teacher. I became 1st chair all seven years I was in band. I started playing the flute and when I mastered that I went on to the saxophone. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. There are not many people out there anymore like him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family in their time of grief.

Beth Riches

January 21, 2010

My deepest sympathies to all.

Joshua Longerot

January 21, 2010

Charles was the father of my best friend David when I was growing up in the 80's. He was often at home when I would visit David, giving lessons. Over the years I really grew to love him. He would sometimes gently give me advice on how to be a better person, and that advice was always sound. He came to my wedding when I got married in '95 and gave me more sound advice on marriage. And when I was in trouble or had social/ emotional issues he would sit down and talk them through with me.
Even tho he lived modestly in South Bend I viewed him as a king. Charles always had great respect from me. I view him as one of the most influential people in my life as far as example and life lessons are concerned. It was his backyard garden that inspired me to make my own for example.
And as a true testament to his greatness in life, we only need to look at his children, all of which are incredibly bright, outstanding, and creative individuals of the highest order. My heart goes out to all of you.

January 21, 2010

Rachelle you and your family has my deepest sympathy in you time if need. You are in our prayers.Becky Jensen ( Delta Jct. Ak)

Ruth Parker

January 21, 2010

To All of you
I knew him as a Father in Law but I loved him as a father. He had a love for music that I have not seen in others, but just the other day I told a little boy he had the perfect lips for playing the saxaphone i believe he called it armiture????? i do not remember but he told little Eddie the same thing. He was a great man and taught all of us many things including his love of gardening. Love him forever for what he taught us all
Ruthie

Patrick Mayer

January 20, 2010

I am thinking of you Rachelle. Your Father obviously had a great impact on many people's lives..

Take Care..

Karl Scheidt

January 20, 2010

"Mr. Atkins" was my clarinet and saxophone teacher for over a decade while I was growing up in South Bend and then Granger in the late 80's and early 90's. He was an educator, mentor, and father figure who inspired me to be more determined, more creative and more passionate about music then I could possibly have been on my own. I have carried on these gifts into my adult life and I am forever grateful for his infinite patience and willingness to see in me potential that I did not always see in myself.

He encouraged me with both kindness and challenges as only those special people in our lives can do. My deepest sympathies to his family and especially to Ruth who was always there for me at State Contest as my accompanist. What a wonderful man who will be dearly missed by so many, and whose positive impact and love of music will live on through his students, friends and family.

Sincerely,
Karl Scheidt
[email protected]

Derek Hayes

January 20, 2010

My prayers go out to you during this time of loss that your pain is short and your memories long. There are so many fond memories I have of Chuck and those are just a token of the legacy he leaves. God Bless!

Nina Grimes

January 20, 2010

I am a friend of Rachelle's (Mr. Atkins daughter) and would like to express my deepest sympathy. I did not have the honor of knowing Mr. Atkins but have no doubt that his musical talent lives on through Rachelle. She has shared that talent with each student that she has taught and the ones she is teaching now.

He will be missed by all but he continues to live on through everyone that he has touched, one way or another. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Jessica Zentz

January 20, 2010

One of the contact emails is incorrect. Lisa's email is [email protected]

I will love you always, Grandpa! Love, Jess

David Lee

January 20, 2010

I'm going to miss "Charlie". He made quite an impression on my life. "Charlie" gave me 14 years of lessons that helped me to be the best I could be, and allowed me to perform with many other great musicians, including his own children. My prayers are with your family.

R Miller

January 20, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Barbara Allison

January 20, 2010

Dearest Babes, Aggie, Sam, Lisa, Eric, Rachelle, David, and Teresa, and Ruth,
We're so sorry to hear of Charles' passing. He was a great Dad, Grandpa and teacher.
I'll think of him every time I hear Junior Walker rock out on Foreigner's "Urgent," the best part of that song. And he couldn't of done it if not for Charles, as a lot of area musicians can say.
I wish you peace as you heal from the loss of Charles.
With love, the Allison: Barb, Bob, Connor & Camille

Jeff Urband

January 20, 2010

Charlie Atkins was a friend to my family for years when my father, mother and I lived in South Bend. My father, Henon Urband who passed away in 2004, also played clarinet and sax and had a long friendship with Charlie. I have fond memories of Charles and his daughter, Rochelle during my schooling at Adams High School and Indiana University at South Bend. His inspired teaching and performing leaves a legacy of musicians who will long remember him as a teacher, mentor and friend. As for me, as a pianist, I remember his humor and love for teaching, music and life. However, my attempts at playing clarinet were short lived (should have studied with Charlie).
Music is his legacy and the students whose lives he touched will long remember. I send my condolances and love to his family, friends and relatives and wish you well in the days ahead. He was a dreamer, a teacher, a mentor, a friend, a musician and his love for music and life will long endure through all the people he touched through the years.

Sincerely,
Jeff Urband
[email protected]
(818) 219-0859

January 20, 2010

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers of comfort go out to your family.
Daryl & Stoney Dankert

Barbara Brickley

January 20, 2010

I remember the many days of letting children off for music lessons. His teaching let them be band members and solo performers.

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