Widdersheim

Charles R. "Chuck" Widdersheim of Butler died at his home Thursday evening surrounded by his family.

Born Sept. 9, 1939, in Berkeley, Calif., he was the son of Charles Edward and Mary Rose (Brocke) Widdersheim.

Chuck was raised in Johnstown, Cambria County, and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Indiana (Pa.) University. He was employed as an English and journalism teacher in the Butler public school system for 20 years.

Subsequently, he became a self-employed piano technician and followed his love of music. An accomplished symphonic composer, he was the recipient of the 1980 Pennsylvania Composer's Project Award — having his winning piece "Nocturne for Chamber Orchestra" performed in Philadelphia.

Most recently, in April 2010, his work "Blue Dragonfly" was performed by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra as part of its Butler County Suite. Most of his musical compositions were inspired by his love of nature.

One of Chuck's favorite activities was fishing on local streams and lakes, with a particular fondness for catching brook trout. He was active in the effort to protect the high-quality Silver Creek watershed in northern Butler County from degradation from strip mining. He also constructed and maintained several conservation projects along Butler County waterways. In addition, Chuck authored a conservation column for American Angler magazine for several years.

Reflective of his commitment to area youth and his love of the outdoors, he was active in Boy Scout Troop 14 and served as Scout Master for several years.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carole; his son, Mark, and wife, Kimberly of Evans City; and daughter Kerry Graff and her husband, Jeffrey, of Canandaigua, N.Y. He also is survived by four grandchildren, Sydney and Colin Widdersheim and David and Erica Graff. Chuck is also survived by a sister, Gertrude Batzel of Detroit, Mich.; a brother, Dennis, of Bethlehem, Pa., and several nieces and nephews.

<B>WIDDERSHEIM</B> — There will be no visitation or public services for Charles Widdersheim, who died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at his request. Cremation services were provided by the <B>Geibel FuneralHome</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.Memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 3500 Brooktree Road, Suite 320, Wexford, PA 15090.