Charles Lester Geroux

Charles l. Geroux, died on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at his residence.

Charles Lester Geroux was born July 11, 1936, in Eau Claire, WI to Clara (O'Brien) Geroux and Charles Jerome Geroux. He attended St. Patrick's grade and high school and was in the first graduating class of Regis High School in 1954 where he was student body president. He received his B.A. in music from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, his M.A. in theatre from St. Louis University and his Ph.D. in theatre from Wayne State University where he also acted in the repertory company. His teaching/directing career spanned almost forty years and included Clarke College in Dubuque, IA, the University if Detroit, and Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, MI, where he was chairman of the Performing Arts (music, theatre, and dance) for 29 years. A skilled actor and director, he inspired innumerable students who later chose lifetime careers in the theatre arts. Many attribute their success to his influence.

Commissioned a 2nd lieutenant at St. John's in ROTC, he did active duty at Fort Leonardwood, MO, For Benning, GA, and Fort Belvoir, VA, where he became MOS qualified as an engineer officer and was promoted to Captain. He served six years as the S-4 for the 389th Eng. Bn.

Chuck directed and designed more than 150 plays over the course of his career. He was the recipient of many awards: several times named as outstanding actor, outstanding graduate assistant, and twice received the Alumni Appreciation Award at Cranbrook Schools. Some of his most memorable roles in acting were Shylock, Willie Loman, Sir Francis Chesney, Sir Anthony Absolute, Snout the tinker, and Pope Urban in the world premiere of Eric Bently's "Galileo Galilei." He also did opera, singing leading roles in "Lucia," "Faust," and "The Saint of Bleeker Street." In 1999 he retired from teaching and moved back to Eau Claire. He wrote an original musical ("Get the lead Out") for the city of Dubuque, IA, in 1976, the bicentennial, which played for one month to a 103% capacity. Its popularity caused the Orpheum Theatre to be saved from demolition and incorporated into the city-wide urban renewal.

His travels included a USO tour to Europe with his students from Clarke College, extended stays in Ireland, France, and elsewhere in Europe, and extensive travel within the U.S., including a summer course in canoe building at the Wooden Boat School in Maine.

Chuck was also active in parish work. He directed the choir at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque, gave lector-training workshops for the Diocese of Detroit, and brought Eucharist to the homebound in Michigan and here at St. Olaf's and St. James. He also worked with marginal youth at the Boys' Club of America when he lived in Dubuque.

Chuck was a devoted husband to his wife, Brigid, a loving father to their daughter, Ellen (Carsten) Voecker, a proud grandfather of Lucas, his grand-son. He was a loyal brother to his sisters, Clare Whelihan and Mary Margaret (Suz) Bartosh, and an affectionate uncle to their children. He was a distinguished scholar, yet he was equally at ease talking about how to make onion soup or how to improve a golf swing. He was a kind man, a generous spirit, an endlessly interesting person, with a marvelous wit, a beautiful resonant voice and a ready smile. He loved being a father, Shakespeare, bass fishing, golf, visits from his former students, babies, canoe repair, crisp waffles, playing his banjo and uke, fixing almost anything, and rooting for the Red Wings and the Packers. His pastor in Michigan described Chuck well: "Chuck is a gentleman's gentleman. He combines intelligence with the common man, and that's hard to do. The common man usually can't pull it off." Charles Geroux was an extraordinary witness to the qualities of honesty, authenticity, hospitality and goodness. Fortunate are those of us who were privileged to share his world.

Memorial gifts may be sent to www.mercyships.org/get-involved/

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Anton Kidess and the nursing staff at HSHS for their compassionate and exceptional care. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th Street in Eau Claire, with Father Tom Krieg officiating. Visitation will be at 10:30am up until the time of Mass at the church. Inurnment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery at a later date.

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services, Eau Claire is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.

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