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Equitable's Senior of the Month < Back to Archive

Charles Dunn

November 2009

"Life Is A Ball"

Being in the military can take you all over the world, and for Chuck Dunn – it did. But now as he basks in his retirement he is happy to stay in the U.S., widdle away at his hobbies, spend time with his wife and enjoy all the fun things that life has to offer.

Charles “Chuck” Dunn was born September 28th, 1937 in Wichita, Kansa. Soon after he was born, a job offer in Oregon relocated their small family. Two younger brothers joined the family when they arrived in Oregon, but they didn’t stay put for long. As they moved around Oregon, Chuck changed schools and attended three high schools during his scholastic career.

Chuck joined the Air Force after graduating from Coquille High School. He spent four years in the armed forces, got out for a year and then reenlisted. During his time in the service he was stationed all over the world, but mainly in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Japan. After a long military career, Chuck landed back in the states in New York and retired as a Senior master Sergeant.

His retirement was only temporary, after leaving the Army and enjoying New York he took a job at a major insurance company. His position moved him all over the country with stops in Washington, Colorado and Kansas. One day during a client presentation, he realized that he could see them talking, but couldn’t hear the words. He took that as his cue to exit the insurance business and move on. He decided to retire for good the day before his 58th birthday and shortly after, he moved back to the Northwest.

Back in Oregon, Chuck took to the retired life. He says “Some people say that life gets easier when you retire, but it’s busier, because there is more time to have fun and pursue your dreams,” and that’s just what Chuck did. He set up shop in his Oregon home and started woodworking. His pieces are mostly intarsia – which combines different kinds of woods to fill in patterns that create a picture. He has tried other types of woodwork including furniture, but loves to work with the little things. He’s made lot of pieces, but still has a lot work ahead of him, considering the 4-5,000 patterns he has collected over the years.

Woodworking is not the only thing Chuck has been doing since his retirement. He square dances three or four times a week, which has not only brought a new spring to his step, but also his new bride, Pauline. After 11 months of being dance partners, Chuck proposed and the two were married on June 21st, 2009. Chuck says, “She is beautiful and extremely intelligent – I became the luckiest man alive the day she married me.” Together they are enjoying their new life together, with square dancing, round-dancing (choreographed ballroom dancing), hiking, fishing and planning their upcoming RV tour of the US.

Chucks motto on life is “Life is a ball, that is dense,” and we couldn’t agree more! Chuck your thirst for life and energetic spirit is why you are a valued member of the Equitable family.

ByLine: Hailey Gee, Equitable Resolutions