Chuck passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018, age 75, with his family by his side. He was a loving, caring husband to JoAnn for 51 years. A devoted father to Rachel (Jason) Bartley and Tracy (Kevin) Stittleburg. The proud grandfather of 4 grandchildren; Benjamin and Alexie Bartley, and Dalton and Grace Stittleburg.
Chuck is also survived by his sister, Sarah (David) Roche, brother-in-law Dennis (Michele) Miller, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Larry, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clyde (Joan) Miller and Ralph (Susan) Miller.
Chuck suffered a spinal cord injury in a “body surfing” (no surf board) accident in 1973 on Cape Cod, and had been a paraplegic since that day. He was a fighter and never let his situation stop him.
His work history had generally been in some type of sales. He started out selling shoes, then Yellow Page ads, and finally in 1984, started his own company Dis/Vet Enterprises, Inc. Dis/Vet began selling plastic cups to the beer industry and later expanded into promotional golf products.
His first love had always been his family; doing whatever was needed to make them happy, and always willing to go beyond the call of duty. His grandchildren meant the world to him. He couldn’t wait to tell you how smart they were, or how well they were doing in school. Visits with them were always special to him. He was a very loving, caring and giving father and grandfather who had a great sense of humor.
His second and third love were a toss-up between golf and Cape Cod. He loved to spend the day at the golf course with his best friend Steve Seeker playing 18 holes of golf from his modified golf cart. The friendship and camaraderie mattered more to Chuck than the game, but he still liked to shoot a good score when it was possible.
Chuck’s love of the Cape started at a young age when growing up in Wrentham, MA, and time was spent at the Cape’s many beaches. As a young teenager, he spent a summer on Nantucket as a golf caddy at Sankaty Head Golf Course. As an adult, there was always a week or two each year spent vacationing on Cape Cod in the town of Eastham, MA. About fourteen years ago, he was thrilled to build a year round home to vacation at on his beloved Cape Cod.
Three years ago, he started the Stabenfeldt Family Charitable Foundation, hosting a golf outing to raise funds for spinal cord research. Over the three years, the foundation raised over $58,000 with proceeds going to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. With the Reeve Foundation’s Matching Gift Program, the final amount raised was over $78,000. His daughter Rachel has promised to do one more outing in his memory.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 12700 West Howard Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM (noon).
In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made in Chuck’s memory to
the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A
Short Hills, NJ 07078