Charles W. "Chuck" Williams

Charles W. "Chuck" Williams, 78, of Fredenberg Township died Saturday, August 13, in Duluth. He was a devoted, loving husband to Fran, a proud and caring father to Bret and Tony, father-in-law to Alison (Tony) and a steadfast friend to many.   Chuck was an uncommon common man with a career that included meaningful successes in education, the private sector and government. He never forgot his roots and never doubted his abilities; he was a visionary leader and mentor throughout his long career. Committed to streamlining complicated processes long before it was in vogue, Chuck also connected with others and made a positive contribution to each organization with which he worked or was involved. Born in Ironwood, Michigan, to Lucy Marie and Charles Walter Williams, he lived in Hurley, Wisconsin, until the family moved to Aurora when he was 12. An Eagle Scout, Chuck graduated in 1956 from Aurora High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1957, served two years and graduated in 1964 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Industrial Education. He married his soul mate, the love of his life, Fran Horvath in 1962. Within a year, they had moved to Maryland where he first taught industrial arts at Edgewood High School and later served as a plant superintendent for a brick and tile company. Chuck and Fran returned to Minnesota in 1966, and Chuck began a 20-year career working for Reserve Mining Company, serving first as supervisor of mechanical maintenance at the mine in Babbitt and later in the position of department head of mechanical maintenance in Babbitt and at the processing plant in Silver Bay. In 1986, he began working at Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, where, as executive director, he modernized maintenance and technological capabilities and focused on improving relationships with customers, neighbors and government agencies. In 1991, newly elected Governor Arne Carlson tapped Chuck to serve as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, where he helped transform the agency's approach - working with the regulated community to achieve environmental gains - and became an ambassador for the agency, reaching out to federal and state counterparts, municipalities and businesses throughout the state and the Legislature, bringing a message of improved environmental results through cooperation and collaboration. Five years later, he returned to the mining industry, serving as vice president of internal and external affairs for EVTAC Mining Company, where he developed a more positive environment for labor relations, as well as with the general public and the Legislature. He "retired" in 2001 to form Chuck Williams and Associates, where he served as a consultant on environmental and public affairs issues for a decade. Among his other involvements, he was an active member of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Natural Resources and Environmental Policy Committee. As commissioner, he also served on several formal and informal environmental initiatives, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Common Sense Initiative. Chuck's professional successes are impressive; even more impressive, however, were his interpersonal successes. Chuck and Fran shared a unique and unbreakable bond in which each celebrated the other and the others' accomplishments. His passion for mentoring young professionals, especially young women, stemmed, in part, from watching Fran battle sexism and discrimination in her early career. He was eager to share news of his sons' progress and achievements as he observed them making their way in the world. Gifted at connecting and maintaining connections, he reached out to others - always inquisitive about the changes in their lives. He was a positive force in the world. He was preceded in death by his parents; uncle Lyle Williams and aunt Frannie Williams; uncle Luce Orsoni and aunt Dorothy Orsoni and aunt Polly Castagna. Chuck is survived by his wife of 53 years, Fran, of Fredenberg Township; son Bret. A. Williams of Minneapolis; son Tony (Alison) Williams of North Branch; brother Anthony J. "Tony" (Diane) Williams of Florida, and very special family member Teri (Jerry) Peer and their son, Jordan. All members of the Williams family would like to express their unlimited appreciation of the quality care Chuck received during his stay at the Franciscan Health Center.  During a very stressful time in our lives it was lessened by the ongoing attention given to Chuck to ease any discomfort he had in his final days.  We will never forget how you helped us. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 31, at Sunrise Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown. There will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank or Animal Allies, both in Duluth.

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