DEATH OF CHUCK CHARNQUIST, FORMER LINFIELD COLLEGE INFORMATION SERVICES DIRECTOR and SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
Charles "Chuck" Charnquist, who died in Portland, Ore., at age 89 on Oct. 28, 2021, was best known to the public as Historian/Archivist of the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA/National Basketball Association.
To be more specific, he worked for the Blazers as a statistician, archivist, historian, and media relations representative.
A 1958 graduate of Lewis & Clark College, Chuck is best known in higher education for serving as his alma mater's director of public information for almost 19 years, 1968-1987. However, he also worked for Portland State University and, 1987-1989, for Linfield College as its director of information services and sports information director.
Chuck was an excellent journalist, wise soul and good person. He "knew everyone" and had a story or two (or more) about those he knew. No conversation with Chuck or email from him was brief.
Chuck’s survivors include wife Carol (Smith) Charnquist, son Eric Charnquist and daughter Susan Charnquist.
Eric Charnquist said in email sent the morning of Oct. 28. 2021, "After a week of decline following a fall at home, Chuck passed away early this morning. A strong believer in Jesus Christ, our family is at peace that he is at peace and no longer suffering. He was so grateful these last two weeks for all the notes of encouragement from so many friends. From our family, thank you for the love you showed him. Plans for a service are yet to be determined."
In 2014, Chuck was interviewed at Lewis & Clark College for an oral history. Related to that, his bio information says,” Chuck Charnquist spent his formative years in northeast Portland. While neither of his parents attended high school, they were able to find work in Portland. He graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School. Due to the military draft in effect, he completed his studies in January of 1956 but graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree. He majored in journalism and minored in political science. While attending Lewis & Clark he edited the school’s newspaper and worked at the Oregonian. After returning from military service overseas he worked at the Oregonian, the Wall Street Journal, and Portland State before returning to work for Lewis & Clark.”
Learn more about Chuck here:
From 2021: Statement from the Portland Trail Blazers on the Passing of Chuck Charnquist
https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/2021/10/28/trail-blazers-mourn-passing-of-chuck-charnquist
From 2021: Chuck Charnquist Has Passed Away
https://deathobits.com/2021/10/28/chuck-charnquist-death-obituary-chuck-charnquist-has-passed-away/
From 2019: Blazers' history is about to walk out the door
https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/2013/04/canzano_blazers_history_is_abo.html
From 2016: Lewis & Clark College award winner
https://college.lclark.edu/live/news/32339-chuck-charnquist-58
From 2010: Blazers Q&A with Chuck Charnquist
https://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/15/blazer-qa-with-chuck-charnquist/
