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Chuck Blackwell Memorial Page
Photos from David Ellis with Chuck in
them:
This is a memorial site that Melanie
Grace is on. It is set up just for memories.
CHUCK BLACKWELL MEMORIAL FLY
KCKC lost an
important member this spring when Chuck Blackwell passed away March 24,
2005 of cancer. He will be greatly missed.
Please join
us Saturday, September 24th at Heritage Park 16050 Pflumm,
Olathe, KS to honor Chuck. Fly, or display any kite that reminds you of
Chuck, and share the memories and joy that Chuck brought to you.
Chuck loved kites and flying, and he shared the joy that he found in kites
with others. Chuck has probably led or influenced about half of the
current KCKC members into this odd sport/hobby/passion. He strongly
believed that you get back what you put in. Chuck put everything into his
passions he believed in. He felt he got a lot back.
KCKC will
also be accepting nominations for the 1st Annual Blackwell
Award, for an area kiter best representing the values, beliefs, and
attitude that were Chuck's. Chris Blackwell will present the Blackwell
Award.
Shared Words in Remembrance of Chuck
Blackwell
Bob Rule gave
a very touching speech at Chuck’s memorial service. Bob’s speech is
included in its entirety for those that were not able to attend the
service.
Bob Rule’s shared words:
We have all been blessed by having Chuck in our lives. I often wonder how
people meet.
I met Chuck
about 10 yrs. ago on the kite field. I’ve met a lot of good people in
kiting but something told me that Chuck was going to be special.
Chuck had so many good qualities. He was always honest and loyal. I always
knew that if I asked him something he would tell me exactly how he felt
and his loyalty was without question. For the last 6 or 7 years Chuck and
I, and others would go to The Day At The Lake, an annual event that gives
people with spinal cord injuries the opportunity to participate in water
sport activities. I had invited him the first year and from that year on
he always took that day off without question.
He was always so eager to share with others. I remember times when we
would have a new kiter on the field and Chuck was always one of the first
people to go and introduce himself, he knew no strangers. If a kiter was
having difficulties…Chuck would always be there to lend a helping hand,
whether it was fixing a broken kite or spending time teaching them to fly.
Chuck loved to share his knowledge of kite building with everyone. He was
always at the kite making workshops and often gave of his personal time to
others to help design and build kites. There were often times that Chuck
would make something for his own kites, whether it be a tube tail, soccer
ball or his wind turbines, and I would comment how good it looked. Usually
within a couple of weeks he had made the same thing for me in my favorite
colors. I don’t think there is a kiter here that doesn’t have something
beautiful and special that Chuck made for them -- never taking money. All
he wanted to see was the smile and joy it brought.
I remember when Chuck started having the headaches. He was concerned but
not worried. After he had his surgery and found out the cancer had
returned I believe he felt like he and the doctors should have caught it
or been able to do something more. He then started to realize that this
happened to be the “hand he was dealt”, and that god must have a bigger
plan for him.
Chuck realizing that he was not going to be with us forever decided to
travel a bit. He and his sister Kim spent time in North Carolina. Then he,
Kathy, Chris, Pat and a friend of Chris’s spent time in Hawaii. In
September he and I joined Steve, Lori, Walt and Marge at the Lane’s lake
house in the Ozarks, what a beautiful day. Then about a month ago he went
with Steve and Lori to the Vanderpool’s for Sharyn’s birthday.
Chuck always showed so much courage. I know Chuck was not afraid to leave
us. He knew Kathy and Chris would be okay. The thing that concerned him
most was when he did become very sick he did not want to burden his family
with his care.
Last Thursday morning god called Chuck home. We honor Chuck’s memory by
sharing with others what he taught us. Be honest, loyal and share. I
believe that we will all join him again one day in one beautiful field in
the sky with kites in hand.
God blessed us with a son and brother, a husband and father, and a true
friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johnny Robert’s shared words:
I’ve told others of my favorite times. Some of my best kite times were
quiet evenings out behind UMB off Barry Rd and I29. It would get late and
only Chuck, Bob, and I would be left. We would have a couple of the single
lines up and would not be able to see them. Just the lines going up in the
dim glow of a street light. With a good moon we could see them shadowed
far above us. We would be sitting in front of the cars on the edge of the
parking lot, Chuck would have supplied a couple of beers and we would
relax in the cool breeze and just talk in a rambling conversation about
anything and everything. Life is good when it is like that. We live on in
others memories when we are reminded of and continue to make new moments
of sitting with friends and enjoying a cool and refreshing breeze while
our kites watch over us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris
Moore’s shared words:
Chuck embodied what kiteflying means to so many of us. Warm winds and
shared smiles were a regular part of what made flying kites special for
Chuck. Chuck was always eager to share his talents with others and went
out of his way to help make others feel welcome. I will always remember
the special times we shared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sean
Beaver’s shared words:
I want to be of value in whatever days left to me. I want to do it with
dignity . . . .Just Like Chuck did! When I take my last breath, I want to
be remembered not for any property or valuable things in a monetary sense,
but for what I was capable of doing and what I have done for others. Chuck
is my teacher in many ways of getting it. Life teaches us how to survive,
while death teaches us how to live. Life is a taskmaster, while death is a
master teacher. We cannot learn how to appreciate the preciousness of life
without coming to grips with the reality of death. Chuck was one of those
who was motivated to make something of his life before death put an end to
his aspirations. If only we all could do 1/2 as much for others like he
did. Every time I see a kite in the air the rest of my life I will
remember his great flights of inspirations, kites, and teachings. If you
have ever wondered how you can be in classroom and not know it just think
of the day you met Chuck. He has taught us all something in life’s
classroom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shared
Poem from Carolyn Barnhart and the Lane Family:
"Corner of the Sky"
Rivers belong where they can ramble;
Eagles belong where they can fly.
I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free,
Got to find my corner of the sky.
~ Author: Stephen Schwartz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rebecca
Waner’s shared words:
There are
people that just bring other people together. Chuck was a person that
could draw people to him. People liked him. At first glance his towering
frame could be quite intimidating but spend just a moment with him and his
personality showed the gentle giant that he was. I met Chuck when my son,
Travis, had received a kite for his 10th birthday; I walked up to this
stranger and asked if someone could help him learn how to fly a dual line
kite. He took Travis out to the field and with great patience showed him
how to fly his new kite. He went on to show him how to fly other larger
kites and complimented his skill. Travis still picks up the lines to fly
kite along the beach when we are on vacation. Thanks to Chuck’s patience
and encouragement that first day, it has become a family vacation
tradition to bring a kite along with us wherever we may go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dave
Bartlett’s shared words:
Empty Places in the Sky: Chuck Blackwell
Chuck Blackwell lost his battle with cancer on March 24, 2005. Chuck
inspired us all by his dedication to the Kansas City Kite Club. He was
always the first on the field setting up a ground display, right after he
had a kite in the sky. He was always the last to leave the field. Chuck
gave up his own time more often than can be imagined to plan kiting events
here in Kansas City. As you pulled up to the kite field you knew Chuck was
there, because you would see the ground display and hear a Phoenix burning
through the sky before you spotted it. He was the keeper of club equipment
and he always took the lead of setup crew for our events. His meticulous
nature made our fly’s, both outdoor and indoor, so much more fun, because
he had always handled everything.
Chuck’s eye for detail is what made him shine as a kite maker. His
appliquéd rokkaku’s were the envy of every club member that had the
opportunity to see them fly. If you were to comment on how incredible the
detail of the appliqué or how he was an artist at the sewing machine, he
would lower his head and say a quiet “thanks”. His heart was always in the
right place when helping aspiring kite makers, whether at our club
workshops or offering a reassuring word of encouragement when you asked a
question about how to proceed on a project. Chuck always made several
projects or donated from his kite collection for our club fundraisers.
Chuck started kite flying in 1990, because “I thought dual line kites
looked like fun.” A favorite of all club members is when Chuck would fly
his train of Phoenixes and then as you watched and listened he would axel
them. We would all oooh and ahhh, and Chuck would flash his smile of
thanks and appreciation that we enjoyed his skill as a kite flyer. Chuck
was also a member of the Reno Nevada Kite Club, after making acquaintances
at WISKF and other flies. Chuck always lead the way to the Westlake Kite
Festival in Lahoma, Oklahoma or Twisted Lines in Topeka, Kansas. It was at
Chuck’s urging that most of us went to our first full-fledged
‘out-of-town’ kite festival. Chuck’s support of kite flying and belief in
the good work being done by the AKA inspired many of us to join the AKA.
His love of the relationship between kites and the wind, will remind us
that his spirit will always be riding the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Memory of Me
I'd like the
memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry
before the sun of happy memories I leave when life is done.
~unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We would like
to thank the Kansas City Kite Club for the kite shaped arrangement that
was sent to the service for Chuck.
Chuck made many friends over the years on the kite field. He really loved
flying and making kites.
We hope everyone who possesses something Chuck made will enjoy it and fly
it often because that is what he would want you to do.
The Blackwell Family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There were many caring and thoughtful words shared in
the online guest book for Chuck at
http://www.legacy.com/KansasCity/Guestbook.asp?Page=Guestbook&PersonId=3339827
. Please take a moment to read what others have posted. You may also
sign this guest book. The website will remain open until March 2006.
May our
friend rest in peace.
Guest Book for
Charles Leslie (Chuck) Blackwell
Page 1 of 3
June 3, 2005
Although I never had the privelege of knowing Chuck, it seems I missed
something great in my life. Bill, I know you will miss your son just as
much as, and possibly more, than I miss Carrie. What a strange path our
lives have lead this past year. My deepest sympathy and love to you and
all the family.
Sara Larsen (Metairie, LA )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 31, 2005
I just found out today about Chuck's passing. I didn't know Chuck that
well, but we spent a wonderful day together flying kites - him teaching me
a lot of what I know. He truly loved flying, but he was also all about
sharing his love for the sport - spending time with the kids, teaching,
and passing on his knowledge. He introduced me to the KCKC, and I'm
thankful. I will think of Chuck often now, when I fly my kite - his
"cactus/coyote" kite, and the smile on his face. God bless you Chuck, and
thanks!
John Lueckenotte (Columbia, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 19, 2005
Chuck was "good people". We flew at a lot of Kite Festivals together. He
competed at my Festival as a dare and did well. I don't think he ever
competed again, he was too nice for that. I assume by his life that Chuck
was a Christian, and I know he's in a better place now. God Bless him and
his family and friends.
John Grimshaw (Columbia, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 6, 2005
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 29, 2005
Thank you everyone for all your love and friendship to our son, Chuck.
It's wonderful to know how special he was to you as he was and is to us.
Bill Blackwell (Overland Park, KS )
bbhawk@prodigy.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 12, 2005
I want to be of value in whatever days left to me. I want to do it with
dignity . . . .Just Like Chuck did! When I take my last breath, I want to
be remembered not for any property or valuable things in a monetary sense,
but for what I was capable of doing and what I have done for others. Chuck
is my teacher in many ways of getting it. Life teaches us how to survive,
while death teaches us how to live. Life is a taskmaster, while death is a
master teacher. We cannot learn how to appreciate the preciousness of life
without coming to grips with the reality of death. Chuck was one of those
who was motivated to make something of his life before death put an end to
his aspirations. If only we all could do 1/2 as much for others like he
did. Every time I see a kite in the air the rest of my life I will
remember his great flights of inspirations, kites, and teachings. If you
have ever wondered how you can be in classroom and not know it just think
of the day you met Chuck. He has taught us all something in lifes
classroom.
Sean Beaver (Lenexa, KS )
sean@kckiteclub.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 30, 2005
A liner note in the upcoming CD:
We would like to dedicate this CD to Chuck Blackwell from the Kansas City
Kite Club. He has selflessly shared his gifts with us, helped us to
appreciate things that are special, and reminded us time is
fleeting....-The Chickens
Verbage will be on the "POULTRY IN MOTION" CD coming soon.
Four Fried Chickens & a Coke Band Members (Metropolitan, KS )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 30, 2005
"Corner of the Sky"
Rivers belong where they can ramble; eagles belong where they can fly.
I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free, got to find my corner of the
sky.
- Stephen Schwartz : Found by: Carolyn Barnhart, Read by: Lori Lane in
Loving Memory of Chuck Blackwell-Memorial Service, March 29, 2005
The Lane's (Riverside, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 30, 2005
Shane Rowse (Kansas City, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29, 2005
Our thoughts and prayers go to Chuck's family and friends.
Bob and Janet Homan (Topeka, KS )
Guest Book for
Charles Leslie (Chuck) Blackwell
Page 2 of 3
March 29, 2005
Chuck will be missed but never be forgotten for all the wonderful great
colors he put in the sky my prayers go to his family
Doug Hoffman (Olathe, KS )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29, 2005
A dear friend gone to be with the Lord. May your winds be smooth.
Jerry Gillespie (Gladstone, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29, 2005
Chuck started out as a business associate with me, but became a friend. He
had a lot of integrity as an engineer, and you could always trust what he
said. He will be missed greatly.
Tim McCray (Kansas City, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29, 2005
My sympathy is with your family in this time of sorrow.
Gail Lavenburg (Kansas City, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29, 2005
To the Blackwell Family-May you find comfort in your many loving memories
- mine include good times shared with Chuck doing what he loved - watching
him fly kites, singing along with the Four Fried Chickens, enjoying the
Trans Siberian Concert, winning the Halloween Prize for his Blue Man
costume, and proudly wearing his scully at the Harley Party.
He inspired all of us during his battle with this dreaded disease and he
is challenging each of us to find our way to find a piece of the sky.
Happy Trails Chuck!!!!
Carolyn Barnhart (Kansas City, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
Chuck embodied what kiteflying means to so many of us. Warm winds and
shared smiles were a regular part of what made flying kites special for
Chuck. Chuck was always eager to share his talents with others and went
out of his way to help make others feel welcome. I will always remember
the special times we shared.
Chris Moore (Nags Head, NC )
chris@4kiteboarding.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
A kind word, an understanding look, and a caring ear made Chuck more
special than can be expressed. There is an empty place in our universe
that will never be filled. May God Bless and Keep You Forever!
David Bartlett (Raymore, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
Friday evening flying. I think that Chuck started this, and one of the
most pleasant things to do. Calm gentle winds, a kite in the sky, and
sitting back for a chat with friends. Thanks, Chuck.
Dave Ellis (Overland Park)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
There are some folks who are true legends and leaders in our sport; Chuck
was one of those special people!
He will be greatly missed!
Gayle Woodul (Marble Falls, TX )
drgayle@tstar.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
What a talented flyer and friend!
Chuck will be missed dearly by all those who knew him.
Allan Gilson (Olathe, KS )
March 28, 2005
We will miss all of Chuck's help in making our kites and flying them. He
was a very special person!
We are sorry for the loss.
Don & Cris
(members of KCKC)
Don & Cris Pfister (Prairie Village, KS )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
Scott Weimer (KC, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
Chuck is a very special person that touched so many lives through his
loving and caring nature. He always had a smile on his face, a word of
encourgament, and a helping hand to all. Chuck will be greatly missed by
all his family and friends. Our
prayers go with his family.
Don, Carolyn, Curtis, Chris Moore (Gardner, KS )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
My sincerest sympathies to Chuck’s family and fellow friends, here is a
poem that I felt represented Chuck in many ways:
People Liked Him
People liked him, not because
He was rich or known to fame;
He had never one applause
As a star in any game.
He was not a brilliant style,
He was not a forceful way,
Be he had a gentle smile
And a kindly word to say.
Never arrogant or proud,
On he went with manner mild;
Never a quarrelsome or loud,
Never mean or wild;
Honest, patient, brave and true;
Thus he lived from day to day,
Doing what he found to do
In a cheerful sort of way.
Wasn’t one to boast of gold
Or belittle it with sneers,
From hot summer to winter cold,
Kept his friends through the years,
Sort of the man you like to meet
Any time or any place.
There was always something sweet
And refreshing in his face.
Sort of a man you’d like to be:
Balanced well and truly square;
Patient in adversity,
Generous when skies were fair.
Never lied to friend or foe,
Never rash in word or deed,
Quick to come and slow to go
In a neighbor’s time of need.
Never rose to wealth or fame,
Simply lived, and simply dies,
But the passing of his name
Left sorrow, far and wide.
Not the glory he’d attained,
Nor for what he had of pelf,
Were the friends that he had gained,
But for you he was himself.
~ Author, Edgar Albert Guest~
Rebecca Waner (Kansas City, MO )
Rebecca.Waner@kcmetro.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 28, 2005
You'll always be in my thoughts and prayers as I go through life. For you
guided me on earth and will guide me through my remaining time here.
Selfless, caring and thoughtful you always were. Thank you for sharing
yourself with me and coming into my life. Good winds.
Stephen Lane (Riverside, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 27, 2005
What an amazing person, never to be forgotten. To the Blackwell Family: I
send my condolences, If you need anything, I will try to help. Keep your
heads up, he would like to see you happy.
Nina Marie Lane (Riverside, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 27, 2005
Paul Rule (Parkville, MO )
prule@kc.rr.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 27, 2005
Bob Rule (Parkville, MO )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 27, 2005
You will forever remain in my heart!
To the family-We loved Chuck and will be here for you. Thank you for
sharing him with us.
Lori Lane (Riverside, MO )
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Where to
LEARN TO FLY... |
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REGULARLY
SCHEDULED
EVENTS
All Kansas City Kite Club events are
open to any interested future kiter! Please join us at any scheduled
event. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the
Executive Council.
Please check Special
Events!! If a Special Event is scheduled in the
area at the same time as a Regularly Scheduled Fly, we will probably be at
the Special Event!
Second and Fourth
Weekend Flys
We
will fly at these locations on SUNDAYs:
2nd Sunday of the Month—Heritage
Park, Olathe, KS
4th Sunday of the Month—New
Mark Middle School, KC, MO
106th
and North Oak Traffic way, Kansas City, MO
map
Click here to submit YOUR favorite place to fly!!!
FAVORITE PLACES
TO FLY
New Mark Middle School
MAP
Longview Lake Shelter #11
MAP
Belton Community Center
Shawnee Mission Park
Frontier Trail Junior High School 15300 West 143rd
Street · Olathe, Kansas 66062
Heritage Park
16050 Pflumm, Olathe, KS
MAP
Leawood City Park, located at 10601 Lee Boulevard.
Leawood Park is off of I-435 and Roe on the south side of the free
way near the pool
Ruth Stockdale Park, 901 LaFrenz Rd.
Liberty, MO 64068
Smithville Lake (Use Fee)
MAP
Fleming Park, Lake Jacomo
22807 Woods Chappel Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015
MAP
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