“COACH” CHARLES (CHUCK) CHAMBERLAIN

January 23, 1940 - October 9, 2021

Chuck Chamberlain passed away at home on October 9, 2021 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born to Lena and Roy L. Chamberlain in Paonia, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Roy G., Robert, and Rodney, and by his precious grandsons, Jacob and Levi Chamberlain.

Chuck was raised in the mountains of Colorado where he was an avid fisherman, hunter, and athlete excelling in baseball, football, and basketball. He went to Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, CO, where he was privileged to pitch in the Junior College World Series and then on to the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, where he played fullback for the football team and pitched in the College World Series. He also pitched two seasons for the Grand Junction Eagles, a semi-pro team.

It was at UNC that he met and married his wife, Marsha, to whom he has been a loving husband for 58 years. In 1964, they had their first son, Charlie before moving to Arvin, where Chuck began his 37 year teaching career. In 1966, they had their second son, Brian. Years later, Chuck was very pleased that both of his sons wanted to attend Arvin High to play football and baseball for their dad.

Chuck was first the head varsity baseball coach, assistant football coach, and C basketball coach. After six years at Arvin, he became the head football and JV baseball team coach, and served as PE department chair. Toward the end of his tenure, he also coached the golf team. Throughout his career, Chuck had a special relationship with both his players and fellow coaches. Chuck retired from teaching in 2001, became very active with the Naab golf group, and rarely missed an opportunity to golf with his grandsons.

Chuck never lost his love for fishing and spent many hours on the river with his boys. He loved being with his family, and when it came time for him and Marsha to celebrate their 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries, rather than flying off to Hawaii, they rented houseboats to spend time with their children and grandchildren. Most vacations were spent traveling to South Dakota and Colorado to visit extended family.

Chuck is survived by his wife Marsha, son Charlie, daughter-in-law Nancy, and granddaughter Shelby, and son Brian, daughter-in-law Kimm, and grandsons Brad and Ryan, as well as several special nieces and nephews and their children, most of whom are in Colorado. They will all attest that their Uncle Chuck was responsible for teaching them the infamous chin wave.

One of the most endearing things about Chuck was his sense of humor, and he was always ready to tell hysterical stories about his misadventures and laugh at himself.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 16, at 1:00 pm at Olive Knolls Church, 6201 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield, CA. He will be buried in the mountains of Colorado near Paonia.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Bear Boosters, Arvin High School, 900 Varsity Rd. Arvin, CA, 93203, or to Hoffmann Hospice, 4325 Buena Vista Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93311.