Chuck Himsel was born July 24, 1942 to Howard and Georgia Himsel. He attended Mount Horeb Schools and
was a proud graduate of MHHS, Class of 1960. He was active in many activities while in high school and was a leader in many
of them; at the same time he was developing an intense interest in the workings of the Mount Horeb Volunteer Fire Department
as he gleaned information and excitement from his dad who was the fire chief. He attended Luther College, relishing his experience
with the Nordic Choir. He transferred to UW-Platteville and graduated as an education major with a minor in music. His career
was then varied: 5th grade teacher, 7th grade math teacher, bank manager, MATC fire science instructor, volunteer fire fighter,
Fire Chief. Chuck continued his education and always was full of passion and commitment in all he did. He was a lifelong learner
and researcher. His humor, his generosity, his compassion, his vision, his philosophy, his bigger-than-life ideas, his stamina
and his intense passion will always be remembered. Chuck died February 1, 2010 at the age of 67.
As a lifelong resident and ardent Mount Horeb devotee, Chuck regularly encouraged and invited people to become involved
in community celebrations. One of his favorite pastimes was to encourage people to bring their families to the firehouse or
to visit his village-- or his home/ a restaurant/ his church/ his family.
Throughout
his life he was committed to music and fire science. His home was full of music activities as he grew up; he fully participated
in his church’s music life, and the community’s music and livelihood were always a large part of his interest.
Chuck initiated many innovative ideas within the fire department and community, and he was the idea man behind many activities,
which were new, progressive ways to herald the village he loved. With the knowledge of that commitment and passion, a scholarship
has been established to celebrate and encourage MHHS graduates who show similar fervor.
His devotion was phenomenal, and our hope is that Chuck’s devotion can be applauded through a legacy that reflects
his life: deep passion and an unremitting vision for something in which one believes.
To Make a Donation...
- Make checks payable to: Chuck Himsel Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Specify
Music or Fire or Both in the memo portion of the check.
- Mail checks
to:
State Bank of Cross Plains
c/o Chuck
Himsel Memorial Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 61
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
- Checks may be dropped off at any State Bank of Cross Plains location.
- For more information contact scholarship@fdmh.org.
