Charles Werle

Charles Robert Werle, age 81 of Asheville, NC died Friday April 21, 2017 at his home. Chuck was born in Flint, MI, grew up in Lapeer, MI, and was the son of Arthur and Ann Werle and big brother to David. He was a journalism graduate of Michigan State University, and a member of Swannanoa United Methodist Church. Charles Robert Werle married Kathleen Mae Wiitanen and they were blessed with three sons, Jeff, Mark and David.

After serving in the army, he pursued a career as a sports writer then as a public relations professional before retiring to Asheville. As a sports writer and editor at the Augusta Chronicle, Laporte Herald- Argus and Milwaukee Journal, he covered sports stars such as Joe Garagiola, Ray Nitschke, Bart Starr, Ernie Banks, and Dick Weber. He covered the Indy 500 twice and the Masters in Augusta.

After his time as a sports writer, he began a long, rewarding career in public relations starting at Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee. As a creative publicity event coordinator, he organized many unique events over the years including the "World Greatest Chicken Plucking Contest" in Florida in the 1970's. Chuck moved on to work for J. Walter Thompson in Chicago, then First Chicago Bank where we he produced their award winning annual report. He then went on to work for Leo Burnett in Chicago before starting his own public relations firm. He was voted outstanding public relations executive in Chicago by both chapters of the Public Relations Society of America. He served as President of the Chicago Chapter of the PRSA and was later chosen for the PRSA National College of Fellows in 1992.

As an avid golfer, he completed a life-long dream in retirement to play golf in all 50 of the United States (plus Finland, the United Kingdom, the Virgin Islands, and Canada). He once shot a hole-in-one and enjoyed his activities with the Asheville Area Singles Golf Group. Chuck also enjoyed writing and completed two books, his first in 2009 "From Tee to Green" about golf in Western North Carolina and his second "A Lifetime in Reverse: What's on Your Bucket List?" in 2015. Chuck was an active member of Swannanoa United Methodist, where he faithfully served meals to needy families at the Welcome Table for many years.

He was a loving father of three boys Jeff, Mark, and Dave, and a proud grandfather of four. As an adventurous sports lover, he involved the family and friends in countless sporting events, including games of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Braves, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears,Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, DePaul Blue Demons, the Asheville Tourists, and his favorite team, the Michigan State Spartans.

Family vacations included memorable trips all over the country including the Grand Canyon, the Colorado Rockies, Juniper Creek, FL, Marco Island, FL, Big
Sur, CA, Alcatraz in San Francisco, Disney World during construction before it was open, a ride on the Goodyear blimp, car races at Elkhart Lake, WI, a helicopter ride in Hawaii and a trip around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chuck really lived life to its fullest and shared much joy and many laughs with family and countless friends.

He is survived by his former wife Kathy, his sons Jeff and Dave and his four grandchildren Madison, Destiny, Hannah and Joe. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Mark, his great friend and brother-in-law, Lynn Tilly, his sister-in-law, Shirley, brother, David, and nephew, Michael. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday April 26, 2017 at Swannanoa United Methodist. A second memorial service will be held in Hinsdale, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Swannanoa United Methodist Church or Hinsdale United Methodist Church. Moore Funeral Home at Forest Lawn is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through their website, www.moorefh.net .