Chuck is a music graduate of Lewis and Clark College who taught music in public schools throughout rural Oregon during his long career.

His first position was in Knappa and from there he went to Elkton, where he was the music instructor, a classroom teacher and Director of Music. It was there, in the 1960s, that he first started playing with the OJB.

From Elkton he accepted a position in Arlington (hometown of Doc Severenson) as the instructor of music in the school district. Retired now, Chuck assists with the Big River Band Festival and continues playing with small groups as well as the OJB.