Chuck Stamps was born in Childress, Texas to Roy and Alma Meyer Stamps. As the oldest boy among nine siblings, and growing up on a farm, he was the first to rise for chores, often missing school to work in the fields. With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, young Chuck would study by the dim glow of an oil lamp into the early hours of the morning. At the age of 14, he set off on his own path, leaving home and working his way through high school and then serving in the U.S. Navy (1948-1954) intercepting and deciphering Russian code during the Korean War. His love of learning became a lifelong pursuit as he attained his BA, MBA, and PhD degrees in Colorado and pursued a career as a teacher, educator, and administrator.

     Chuck was recognized by others as a passionate, respected, and dearly loved educator. He started his career as a high school teacher, soon pivoting to higher education. His professional contributions ranged from research and grant writing as the High School Curriculum Specialist and Business and Education Coordinator for the State Department of Education in Nevada to serving as Associate Dean in the School of Education at Oregon State University to holding three deanships in the State of Colorado. After 40 years, he moved his proverbial tassel from one side of his mortarboard to the other, retiring from a position as Assistant to the President at Pueblo Community College.

     Over the course of his life, Chuck received several accolades and awards. He was especially proud of his service in the U.S. Navy, including being one of two candidates out of 100 to be chosen for Selective Service. His awards as an educator included a national award for his doctoral dissertation, one national and one university award for effective teaching, and being selected twice as the Outstanding Administrator at the university level.

     His most cherished role, however, was that of a father and grandfather. In 1958, he married one of the student teachers, Margaret McDonnell Stamps Beilke, and for 25 years, they raised a loving family with three children: Eileen, Glenn Nolan, and Corinne. His family eventually grew with the addition of spouses, partners, and grandchildren and they were truly the center of his world.

     Chuck was an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, his students, his colleagues, and his friends. He truly understood the value of hard work, perseverance, and education. But, more importantly, he understood and embodied compassion, kindness, and community. He set high standards for himself and others because he believed we are all capable of great things. He had a heart the size of a washtub (as he described that of his sister’s) and regularly put others’ needs before his, leading with grace and love.

     Chuck will be dearly missed by many including his two daughters, Eileen (Rick) Schmidt and Corinne (Corey) Stafford; his son, Glenn Nolan Stamps (Scott Drake); and his five grandchildren: Kristin (Tommy Allen), Anna, and Kara Schmidt (deceased), and Brody and Olivia (Liv) Stafford.

    A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 3rd at 2 p.m. PST at Cedar Hills United Church of Christ (11695 SW Park Way, Portland, OR) with a on-site reception immediately following.  Service will be live-streamed. Contact family for link. His ashes will be interred at Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard.  Donations may be made in Chuck's name to the American Cancer Society.