In Memory

Chuck Thomson

Chuck, an attorney who specialized in personnel at major U.S. corporations, died in Florida Aug. 27, 2016, of arterial-pulmonary disease.

In Highland Park he attended Lincoln and Edgewood schools. In high school he was an excellent student and a star swimmer. With his easygoing personality and ready smile, he became a valued friend to many classmates. He went on the University of Michigan and then earned master's and law degrees from Northwestern University.

In recent years he had lived in Sarasota and operated as a consultant to industry.

In 2000 Chuck became chief people officer of E*Trade, the online financial company. The press release described him as “one of the world's most experienced and respected human resources executives.” Earlier he ran the largest personnel division of FedEx and held senior jobs in human resources at airlines: United, Frontier and Flying Tiger.

Surviving are his wife, Sara Fields; three sons, Kurt, Brian and Mark; and a grandson, Arthur.



 
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09/06/16 02:49 PM #1    

Gene ALTMAN, M. D.

Chuck,

I remember fondly your warmth, your great sense of humor and your kind, gentle soul, all qualities too often too scarce in this world. Wherever you are now, I know you are warmly welcomed and most appreciated. 

Gene


09/07/16 05:24 PM #2    

Steven Seiler

Sad to learn about this news! Chuck was a great guy and I was privileged to watch him as a leader on the swim team and one of the true leaders for our class. Heartfelt sympathy to his family. 


09/08/16 01:18 PM #3    

Richard ALBIN, M. D.

     I had very little interaction with Chuck at Edgewood but fortunately all this changed when I joined the Swimming Team in High School.  Chuck was a strong, quiet, unassuming but confident leader all four years as well as an outstanding swimmer.  Contrasted with contemporary exuberant displays upon winning, Chuck reacted as if that was his job description and while he was justifiably proud of his accomplishment it was not an unusual result.  He was a forerunner to the now disregarded sports dictum:  Act like you've been there before and expect to be there again.  I am not surprised that he was not only very successful later in life but also greatly admired.  My condolences and sympathy to his family.

Rick Albin


09/09/16 05:23 AM #4    

Stanley Lind

Our 2 families were quite close and we would all spend time togther and one of the aspects of Chucks life that I found interesting was his  respect for his parents.  They are all long gone, but I am sure Chuck carried that over to his own family.


09/21/16 03:15 AM #5    

John Scornavacco

Last week Winkie and I had dinner with Sara, Chuck's wife, and she wanted to make a special point of thanking all those who have made comment and/or contacted her with kind words and regrets. Special thanks to George Harmon for his informative and touching remarks. Chuck and I go back to  second grade at Lincoln school and became very close friends through high school, college, and during his early years in his professional life. We all know that life has it's own turns and twists and we did not see each other for almost thirty years. But about seven years ago we rediscovered each other here in Sarasota and it took about five minutes for us to get back on track. Soon thereafter Chuck began his slow but steady battle with his progressing illness. These past years he still remained Chuck. Great sense of humor with his thunderous laugh and warm way with everyone around him. He viewed everything around him with a twinkle and a keen unique perspective. He and Sara came to Sarasota after incrediably succesful professional carreers and Sara has been an amazing loving support and caregiver to Chuck. He did get the chance to hold his only grandchild just before his passing. Great memories, but I will miss him.


09/22/16 06:03 PM #6    

Charles Cretors

Like John Scornavacco I knew Chuck from Lincoln school.  Chuck, George Harmon and I would play endless games of basket ball on his driveway.  Unfortunately I lost track of Chuck after highschool but when ever I think back to my gradeschool days I always considered Chuck one of my best friends.


10/16/16 09:39 PM #7    

Michael Addison

It is a bit eerie. I have not seen Chuck since high school, save for a chance encounter during college summers, yet I feel a loss. We were on the baseball team together  and I recall his folks and brothers vividly. I would hear about him over time and perhaps that made me feel closer. I am well pleased that he had a successful career. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.


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