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Mr. Sullivan Department Chair of Religion / Theology Teacher
For many Damien Spartans Chuck will be remembered as the ‘Voice of the Spartans’. This is because he announced Damien sporting events, Damien Quizbowls and even professional sports.
For me Chuck was…
The Voice of Acceptance- I am not a Damien alumnus so I never had Chuck as a teacher. Chuck was the first person I met at Damien. It was a Saturday morning in August of 1998. I arrived for an interview for a teaching opening in Social Studies. I entered the office and Chuck was behind the desk. He immediately put me at ease and made a connection with me because we were both political Science majors. It was the easiest and most enjoyable interview in my life. It was more like a conversation with an old friend than an interview. At the end, I heard the voice of acceptance in one phrase, ‘Welcome to Damien’ as he shook my hand.
The Voice of Approval- When I switched from Social Studies to teaching all religion classes, Chuck expressed his disappointment. He said it was because I was doing a great job. To a young teacher that meant a lot. I never forgot that. Recently he sent me an email expressing his support and appreciation after I expressed my views openly regarding a controversial issue. He wasn’t the only one, but his email mattered the most.
The Voice of Order and Stability- On 9-11-2001, after watching the news all morning, I left early to get to work… I broke from my normal routine and instinctively went straight to Chuck’s class. It’s only in hindsight that I realize that for me Chuck was a calming presence and a stabilizing force. I thought, ‘Chuck will know what’s going on and what to do…”. Just by being there in Rm 108, I became more steady and calm, ready to face that dreadful day.
The Voice of Consideration- I think in some way Chuck prided himself on being a very thoughtful and considerate person. It seemed to me that he spent a lot of time thinking about other people’s feelings and goals. He always had a good point about whether or not a person would be affected or hurt by any decisions. I know first-hand Chuck went to bat for me when I found myself in a few predicaments. He was also an extremely influential voice for the coaches at Damien. He knew what coaching was and he had the academic credentials to advocate for them to the administration.
The Voice of a Father- Though we were too close in age to think of Chuck as a father, he was definitely a mentor. He was, however, the voice of a father to hundreds of young men on their Kairos experience. It was such an honor for me that Chuck echoed my voice to my son on his May Kairos. In his Kairos talk and throughout the retreats as director, he was the voice and the presence of fatherly wisdom. My wife, tearfully recalled that she overheard him reassuring my son and boosting his confidence in public speaking. Chuck could also use that voice to be stern and offer fraternal correction for wayward teachers. I learned a lot about campus ministry from Chuck.
He did all of this with great humor marked by a cutting wit. He never resorted to putting anyone down for a laugh and I never heard him use foul language. Hours or even days later I would find myself chuckling out loud recalling something he said.
The Voice of Damien has been silenced in death. But it continues to echo through the halls and classrooms, the athletic fields and gym. Teachers, coaches, staff, and administration should carry on Chuck's iconic voice that inspired so many Spartans looking for acceptance, approval, stability, consideration, and fatherly love.
We will all miss 'The Voice'. The evening that Chuck died I googled his name and found a youtube video of Chuck being interviewed about debate. My wife came in as I was lost in soothing reassurance and asked what I was doing. I responded, “I’m listening to Chuck”.
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