Charles "Chuck" Douglas Gross

Charles " Chuck" Gross, age 79, passed away on April 17, 2025.  Chuck was born in Minneapolis, MN on November 19, 1945 to Charles and Audrey Gross. He was a Washburn High School graduate of 1963.  Chuck earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Saint Cloud State University in 1967 and spent one quarter interning at Peat Marwick Mitchell.  Chuck taught at St. Cloud while he earned his MBA from the U of MN.  He passed the multi-day CPA test on his first try.  During college summers, he worked with his family at Paul E. Hawkinson Tire Company.  After college, he worked 10 years for Broker Hendrickson (later McGladrey Hendrickson) accounting firm doing financial forecasts and computer accounting.  Chuck also served in the Army Reserves for 6 years mostly at Fort Snelling.

Chuck was a 40+ year owner of the five story tall Savoie Building at 126 N. 3rd St. in the Minneapolis Historic Warehouse District.  Recognizable with its green awning, and lined with boxes of calliope large scarlet fire red geraniums in the summer and miniature pine trees in the winter, he maintained its 84,000 square feet of office space.  He was known as the handshake landlord, appreciated for his support of small businesses, and was happy to help startups get their start.  

Chuck had a lifelong love of music and sports.  He played both piano by ear and trombone.  Chuck often answered questions and finished sentences with famous song lyrics.  He started on a junior bowling league at Richfield Bowl, played intramural football with B4 Animals at St. Cloud, and enjoyed many years of tennis and golf.  His most memorable golf course played was Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA when visiting family.  He watched and supported all MN sport teams and had tickets for Gopher and Viking Football for many seasons.

Cable, WI was a favorite spot to get away.  If the Jeeps were working, he would ride in the woods checking for bears and cutting fallen logs.  At home he liked to grill and cook and would grow flowers and vegetables each summer.  Chuck also enjoyed eating out at restaurants, especially if they had a good prime rib, turkey pot pie, or meatloaf.  Chuck had his mom co-sign so he could buy his first stock when he was 17 and he continued trading his entire life.  He religiously watched CNBC stock shows and Wheel of Fortune.

Chuck was generous with friends and family and would rather help them than spend on himself.  He will be loved and missed by his sisters Linda (Jim) Peshina and Bonnie Kienitz; nieces Deb (Trevor) Brown, Andrea (Mark) Hansen, Amy (Shaun) Fontaine and Nephews Doug (Jenny) Peshina and Brian Kienitz along with grandnieces, grandnephews and a great-grandnephew.  Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Audrey Gross.

Please join us to remember the laughs, lyrics, good food, and memories made throughout the years.

Friday, May 16, 2025

10am Visitation

11am Memorial service with lunch following at

Path of Grace United Methodist Church

759 County Rd. B, Maplewood, MN 55117

2pm Interment at Lakewood Cemetery

4-5:30 Celebration of Life at 

The Savoie Building

126 N. 3rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55401

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the University of Minnesota Foundation's Friends of Heart Fund.

https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/yourgift.html?&cart=24057