Dr. Charles R. 'Chuck' Stearns

Stearns, Charles R. Dr. OREGON-Dr. Charles R. "Chuck" Stearns, renowned polar researcher, treasured friend and beloved father and brother, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 22, 2010. Born on May 21, 1925 in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania to Fenton and Lois Stearns. He was a Boy Scout for many years and attained the high ranking of Eagle Scout. He graduated in 1943 from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois where he played the baritone horn in the band and the trombone in the orchestra. In 1943 he began his long affiliation with the University of Wisconsin. During his time at the university he was called to serve as an infantryman in the Pacific Theater in World War II from 1943 to 1946 and was awarded a Bronze Star for rescuing fellow soldiers in the Leyte Gulf campaign. His unit, the 96th Infantry Division, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for extraordinary heroism. Following the war, he continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin obtaining an undergraduate in physics and subsequently a Master's and Ph. D. degrees in Meteorology. He became a widely admired professor of meteorology, teaching courses in polar meteorology and instrumentation. During his teaching career, he and his students made 18 trips to Antarctica installing and repairing weather stations. He spearheaded the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at the University of Wisconsin in 1980. The purpose of the AWS was to collect the first meteorological data for Antarctica. In 1982 he was awarded the Antarctica Service Medal by the National Science Foundation for his scientific achievement under the U.S. Antarctic Research Program. In 1992, he developed another method (AMRC Project) for the generation and collection of satellite images. Additional interests included working on his farm, spending time with his family and raising alpacas. He continued to consult with the university and Antarctic Programs well into retirement. He is survived by son, James of Oregon, daughter, Laura (Ken) Drescher of Athens, Georgia; sister, Carolyn Spacek; nieces, Anne (James) Gerlach and Lynne (Dan) Toth; nephew, David F. (Sandra)Spacek; grand-nieces, Wendy Spacek, Dana Ballard, and Sherri (Dennis) Lindsey; grand-nephews, David M. Spacek and Eric Ballard; and two great-grand-nephews, Oliver Lindsey and Gabriel Ballard; cousins, Helen Clark and Edna Mae Thorpe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Fenton Stearns. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at the GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, Oregon, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 1:00- 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Charles' name to Habitat for Humanity. Charles was intrigued by the untamed quality of nature and science and was fond of this saying: "Mother nature always bats last." Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Charles' name to Habitat for Humanity. Visitation: A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at the GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, Oregon, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 1:00- 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Service: A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at the GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, Oregon, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 1:00- 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm at the funeral home.