Charles “Chuck” Sindelar
Charles “Chuck” Robert Sindelar, longtime resident of Waukesha, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2019 at the age of 76.
Chuck was born on July 18, 1942 in Black River Falls, WI, the son of Charles and Lillian “Grace” (nee Schinke) Sindelar. Chuck married his high-school sweetheart, Mary Ann (nee Thorpen) Sindelar, on July 18, 1964. In 1965, he graduated from UW Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in conservation and biology. With degree in hand, and the love of the outdoors, Chuck earned a position with the Department of Natural Resources, researching the bald eagle. He was eventually recognized by the DNR and the Federal Government for his work to increase the bald eagle population in the State of Wisconsin, removing them from the endangered species list. Chuck also traveled up and down the East Coast and into Canada assisting in a project dedicated to locating previously known nests of the Peregrine Falcon.
Chuck’s second love in life was his 1907 J.I. Case Steam Engine tractor which he purchased in 1986. He enjoyed taking care of his tractor, showing it in parades and displaying it in shows for more than 25 years. Chuck also loved to spend time with his family. He helped his father and brother build a log cabin in Hatfield, Wisconsin on land that his great grandparents had purchased from the railroad when they immigrated from Czechoslovakia. Later in life, the cabin became a place that he would go to reflect on memories he had with his father.
Chuck will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Mary Ann; children, Ann Marie Sindelar, Katherine Sue ( Jeffery) Stefan; Granddaughter, Kacey Jade Stefan; Brother, James (Iris) Sindelar, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Ethel, and parents-in-law, Harry and Gladys Thorpen.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Season’s Hospice Waukesha for their compassionate and respectful care of Chuck.
The visitation for Chuck will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until the start of a reflection and remembrance time at 3:00 p.m. at, Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to Cedar Grove Ornithological Research Station, P.O. Box 156, Glenbeulah, WI 53203 or Wildlife in Need Center, W349 S1480 Waterville Rd, Oconomowoc, WI 53066.
Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services are serving the family. For further information, please call 262-542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary, or to leave a condolence, please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.
