Charles A. Eggenberger

Charles August Eggenberger, age 92, passed away at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton on March 17, 2023.  He entered life-everlasting with his wife Jill at his side. Chuck was born on November 7, 1930, in Plum City, WI to Louis and Lucille (Lang) Eggenberger. He was the youngest of 7 children born to the couple.  In 1954, after Chuck returned from military service, he met and married Eunice Zuleger in Appleton and they had two children Pam and Alan.

 

Chuck was a proud Marine, having entered in 1947, before he finished high school. He fought in the Korean War participating in the Inchon Landing and survived the Chosin Reservoir battle, truly becoming one of “The Chosin Few." He went on an honor flight with niece Bonnie, and it was a highlight for him; but likely an even bigger one for the active-duty Marines he met who wanted to hear the stories from one of “The Chosin Few.” During the unseasonably cold weather in Korea, his regiment radioed for “tootsie rolls” which meant mortar rounds; there was a bit of a misunderstanding and Japan sent cases and cases of Tootsie Rolls-which ended up being a taste of home, a morale boost and was called “manna from Heaven.” Since then, Tootsie Rolls have been a major part of the Chosin Few reunions.

 

Chuck retired as the Vice President of Information Services for Jewelers Mutual Insurance. His Marine training as well as his own true nature made him meticulous in all facets of his life.

 

In 1984, Chuck met Jill Anthony on a late evening date at the end of November and the sparks flew. The two dated for 8 years and then were married on January 4, 1992.

 

Chuck’s time in the service seemed to inspire part of his love of travel, as he enjoyed traveling many places throughout his life. He and Jill travelled the world and visited most of the United States. He loved to hunt, and he and Jill had 40 acres in Waushara County where he took time to hunt with his son Alan, work in the garden, manage the land, keep the black walnut trees in good shape and always spent days in the fall of each year, cracking walnuts with his wife Jill. One year, they figured they cracked and cleaned 3000 nuts.  He truly enjoyed his time on the land-the therapy it provided- and it was a labor of love for him. Chuck and Jill shared a love of the outdoors and enjoyed time in the Bear Tooth Mountains snowmobiling and backpacking and avoiding grizzlies.  They enjoyed sharing a cozy 2-man tent on their adventures.

 

Chuck was a lifelong learner, and he enjoyed spending time reading about new things and taking online courses. He was among the first to learn about information technology.

 

Chuck is survived by his wife Jill, his children: Pam (John) Heyrman and Alan (Sharon) Eggenberger; grandchildren: Craig (Gertraud) Heyrman and Patrick Heyrman; great grandchildren: Maximilian and Finn. He is further survived by sister-in-law Judy Lendved, as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends.

 

He is preceded in passing by his parents, his parents-in-law: Joe and Alma (Baker) Bodinger, his siblings: Earl (Lela) Eggenberger, Helen (LeRoy) Burgess, Bob (Evelyn) Eggenberger, Emery (Betty) Eggenberger, Lois (Merlin) Brunkow, Marie (Carl) Mickow, and brother-in-law George Lendved.

 

A visitation for Chuck will be held on Tuesday March 21, 2023, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior Street, Appleton. There will be an additional time of visiting at First Congregational Church of Christ, 724 E South River Street, Appleton at 10:00am on Wednesday March 22 followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00am with full military honors to follow. Chuck will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park.

 

Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at TCRMC-Appleton 3^rd floor for their excellent and compassionate care of Chuck.