Charles E. Long

Charles (Chuck) E. Long passed away peacefully on January 16, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn, and survived by daughter Kirsten (Ken) Walker.Chuck was born on January 17, 1930 in Hammond Indiana to Charles E. Long (Jr.) and Lola (Mullen) Long. He lived in Hammond until his graduation from Hammond High School in 1948. Chuck served in the United States Air Force in the early ‘50’s as an office clerk while stationed in Germany. After returning to the states, he attended the University of Illinois in Champaign where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. Chuck gained experience as an engineer by designing the electrical work for several area houses in the Calumet Region. Chuck joined the Wm. J. Bachman Partnership (now VOA Associates) in 1959 and continued his career with the company through 2009. His drive to continually produce results is seen in the many projects he worked on so passionately with the Bachman Partnership. Community Hospital and The Center for the Performing Arts were two of his largest projects that he was so proud to complete. Chuck also worked with St. Thomas More Church on several lighting and electrical projects. Chuck was very involved in many Engineering organizations, including serving as President of the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE). Chuck’s love of trains and model railroading kept him busy in his spare time, having built an HO Scale layout that encompassed his entire basement! His love of the Arts was seen in his active involvement in the Northern Indiana Arts Association throughout most of his life. Chuck was also a very active member of St. Thomas More Church where he served as Eucharistic Minister, Lector and a member of the Arts and Environment Committee (chaired by his wife, JoAnn). Chuck continued working as a consulting Engineer and worked with the Town of Munster on the lighting for the “Prairie Passage” sculpture at Centennial Park. Chuck’s energy and enthusiasm for life touched many and he will be missed. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 from 3:00-8:00 PM at Kish Funeral Home 10000 Calumet Ave. (next to Fitness Pointe) Munster, IN with a prayer service at 4:00 PM and Wednesday from 9:30-10:00 AM at church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Church. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hospice of the Calumet Area in his memory would be appreciated.