Farewell, Chuck!

Long time CRBC volunteer, Vice-President, and past-President, Chuck Anderson will be leaving the area and us at the end of December. To explain why and where he’s going, I thought it best to use his own words: 

“With mixed emotions I want to let you all know that at after Christmas Susie and I are moving to Boulder, CO. I have been offered a position with the National Geophysical Data Center there in Boulder. It has been great working with you all over the years and I will miss the challenges and opportunities of the bike community here in State College. I am proud of the work CRBC has done and regret that I will not be a part of it. On the flip side, Boulder is a platinum level BFC and I’ll pass along anything I see there that would fit into the needs here in State College.” 

We regret it, too, Chuck!  Chuck has been an integral part of the cycling advocacy scene since his arrival in the area. As well as serving multiple executive posts, Chuck was always working on one cycling issue or the other. Many of the improvements you’ve seen, and many you may not have noticed, were started, nudged, & sometimes pushed along through Chuck’s tenacious desire to see things bettered for cyclists in the area. From consulting with accident victims, to interacting with area planning agencies, police forces, and PennDOT, Chuck put a lot of personal time and effort behind his beliefs. 

As a League (of American Bicyclists) Cycling Instructor, Chuck’s Street Skills and Fix-a-Flat and More classes at Penn State helped spread the word and experience that cycling is and can be an enjoyable experience that needn’t be feared, whether on a bike path, a trail, or down Atherton St.  

As a member of our Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) committee, Chuck helped write the application that won the Centre Region BFC Bronze, and he served on advisory committees at Penn State that spurred the progress that led to PSU’s recent award of Bronze Bicycle Friendly University. 

As a volunteer for CRBC, Chuck could always be counted on to help staff our tables for Bike-to-Work Day/Week/Month, run a cycling education seminar for Earth Day, or events with the Campus Sustainability Office. 

And as I write this, I realize the void that Chuck’s departure will leave in the organization. I hope that some of his legacy will be to inspire others, as he has me, to take up the banner of cycling advocacy, pitch in, and help fill that void and keep the area progressing towards an even more bicycle friendly place. 

Thanks Chuck. The CRBC and the Centre Region appreciate all you’ve done for us. Good luck to you and Susie in this new phase of your lives. We’ll miss you. 

Paul Rito