Charles “Chuck” Hassett
American Fuchsia Society Editor 1980 to 1990
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and grow flowers in our hearts
And we are never the same.
American Fuchsia Society Editor 1980 to 1990
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and grow flowers in our hearts
And we are never the same.
Charles "Chuck" T. Hassett passed away Oct 24, 2003. He was born Aug 25,1924 in Brookings, Oregon. Chuck is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary, three daughters, three grandchildren, one great granddaughter plus many other relatives and friends.
He enjoyed gardening, photography, and the wonders of his computer, was editor of American Fuchsia Society Bulletin from 1980 to 1990 and continued to contribute articles for publication, displayed award winning fuchsias at the Humboldt County Fair and Fuchsia Society Shows and was a certified AFS plant judge- to name a few of the things he enjoyed. Chuck will be remembered as a gentle, kind person with a "super green thumb" who grew beautiful species and hybrid fuchsias from the smallest to the big grand doubles.
Please take a moment to remember Chuck and smile.
…Eileen Fahey, Eureka Branch
Chuck Hassett has always been special to me because he was my mentor and predecessor in this position as AFS Editor. In September 1989, when he turned over the boxes of materials, gave me some instructions and patted me on the back, I knew I had some big shoes to fill! When I called during that first year, he was always helpful and encouraging, letting me establish my own way of doing the job.
Chuck was first appointed to the AFS Board of Directors in December 1979 and was given the position of Editor effective with the February 1980 edition. During his reign as Editor, he introduced color covers for the first time. He was the first editor to use a computer. Bulletins were published every month until the end of 1987, when the Board elected to go to a bi-monthly Bulletin to conserve costs. Chuck wrote many of the culture articles, provided numerous slides for the cover and mailed out all the Bulletins. Board member, Sharon Bailey was associate editor in charge of the Branch Directory and events news from 1985-1987. In 1988, I was appointed that job and wrote my Branch News column. In 1988, to help their friend, Christine Kemp and Marie Powell of Eureka Branch, assisted Chuck in organizing and labeling all the Bulletins for mailing.
In 1987 he had announced that he wanted to be replaced by the end of the following year, but no one was found to fill the job, so he said that he would keep the job one more year. 1989 was our first year on the AFS Board, and our first committee assignment was to the “Find a New Editor Committee”. After one meeting, Al said that he had the feeling that the job was moving down the Peninsula toward our house! Sure enough, while we were in Europe that summer, the Board announced that all Bulletin material should be sent to me until further notice!
Chuck continued to be an important member of the AFS. He gave programs, judged fuchsia shows, helped train new judges, wrote articles for the Bulletin and took an active roll in their Eureka Branch. He and Mary welcomed guests to their garden and entertained visitors from around the world. They grew lovely fuchsias and shared blossoms, cuttings and plants to anyone who showed interest in their favorite flower.
As a tribute to Chuck, this edition of the Bulletin is featuring some of the articles he wrote when he was editor. If you have a collection of old Bulletins, I urge you to browse back through them to appreciate the gifts of Chuck Hassett.
…Elsie Sydnor