Special Tribute to Chuck

October 2023 ● Issue #129

"We Have Lost Someone Special" This was the message on a condolence card ACEware received last month. We all agree with the truth of these five words.

Chuck was a servant leader. The needs of his team and serving our customers were his highest priority at ACEware. He deeply and genuinely cared about people, and he developed personal relationships with all he came into contact with.

Thank you for sharing your stories and your words of sympathy for Chuck's family and the ACEware team. In this special edition, and on our memorial website we share our memories through photos and tributes.

His influence on the Continuing Education profession was gigantic. May we all carry on his legacy of servant and service leadership.

ACEware will be closed from 12 -5 PM, Friday, November 10 to allow employees to attend Chuck's memorial service.

Sharon Brookshire

President

"Having had the privilege of knowing Chuck, I can sincerely say that every encounter was a lesson, a story, and many laughs rolled into one. Whether at the conference or elsewhere, Chuck always managed to offer invaluable advice and his infectious enthusiasm made you ready to conquer the world."

Martin Malpica

Director of Communications and Marketing

UCF Connect

"In memory of a remarkable person, I write this to honor the invaluable support that Chuck provided Boise State-Extended Studies over the years. He was incredibly attentive to our needs, always willing to listen and come up with sustainable solutions.

While I can only imagine how his physical presence is greatly missed, his legacy and influence lives on through the work the ACEware team continues to do, carrying forward the vision and values he instilled. "

With heartfelt gratitude and a profound sense of loss,

Lynn Harrsch

Director of Operations

Boise State University-Division of Extended Studies

"Meeting Chuck on the brink of what everyone thought would be a technology disaster, Y2K (year 2000), has always been a fond memory for me.

Chuck was the epitome of providing the best product and customer service. Over the years, I am sure when he saw my number pop up, he probably rolled his eyes but he always answered. He made the magic happen for all of our crazy requests along the way.

Chuck was creative and a solution provider, always finding ways to make us better for our own customers. His Chuck-isms within Student Manager still make me giggle. My favorite one was when the class would be full and I am trying to add another registration and then I would get prompted, “Whoa Partner, Whatcha Trying to Do?”.

My mother would often accompany me to the ACEware conferences. She was always thrilled with how kind Chuck was to her and how he made her feel like ‘one of the ACEware family’ with his genuine hospitality. Chuck and I shared a love of hunting and would often talk about deer and turkeys along with our love of the outdoors.

Chuck will most certainly be missed but he will not be forgotten as his positivity, laughter, and kindness with always be with us. My life has been enriched for knowing him. Wishing for Chuck’s eternity to be filled with much love, laughter, happiness and many a day outdoors. May the peace of the Lord be always with you and many blessings.

Karen Rankin

Associate Director, Information Technology & CEU Officer

Auburn University, University Outreach

I think Chuck was truly one of the very best humans I have ever known. We at Montana State University started with ACEware back sometime in the 1990s, and even though he was selling us software, I learned so much from him about being a Continuing Education administrator and it was all so valuable.

As you so well know, he made everyone feel like they were a part of something important. Both my current and past staff were all so saddened by the news. As one said, it is truly the end of an era.

Kim Obbink, Ed.D

Director

Academic Technology and Outreach

Montana State University

"I remember when I first met Chuck.

I had just transferred to the non-credit Continuing Education department for our college. My new position included assuming the role of Keeper of the Flame for Student Manager as well as on-boarding our new software.

I directed to "read the directions" and review the YouTube channel to learn about Student Manager and how to set things up. I told my manager I needed more instruction, so we arranged for an afternoon of training with Chuck at the cabin. . .

Stacia Payne, Metropolitan Community College