Charles D. “Chuck” Gelman, 62, of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully Nov. 29, 2002, at Swedish Hospital, Seattle, after a month-long battle with complications of pneumonia. Born Sept. 2, 1940, in Chicago to Dr. William and Gladys Gelman, Chuck, a 1962 Dartmouth College graduate and member of Zeta Psi Fraternity, spent his professional career in marketing and communications: 17 years with Golin/Harris Communications, a national public relations agency in Chicago; five years heading his own public relations firm, Gelman and Gray, in Los Angeles; and two years as vice president, communications, with the San Diego Padres Baseball Club. Chuck then went back to his Chicago roots, joining Discovery Zone, Inc., an operator of children’s indoor play areas, until his 1995 retirement in Seattle.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Dr. William C. Gelman, and is survived by his mother, Gladys D. Gelman, Coupeville; his loving wife, Peggy Claire Gelman, Oak Harbor; his sisters-in-law, Paige Claire, Redmond and Penny Claire Holland, Coupeville; brother-in-law Wally Hume, Coupeville; nephews Jeffrey Holland, Columbus, Ohio, and Jeff and Susie (Stockfeld) Hume, Coupeville, and numerous other relatives and lifelong friends.

Oct. 19, 1991, Chuck married Peggy Claire, his sweetheart of six years. Retirement to his wife’s native Seattle in 1995 eventually led them to Whidbey Island, where they built their dream home in 1999.

A talented wordsmith and award-winning writer, Chuck’s quick wit and irreverent humor endeared him to all who knew him.

Honoring his wishes, his ashes will be strewn in the waters of Puget Sound, which make up the wonderful view from their cliffside home on the west side of Whidbey Island. Remembrances to the Oak Harbor Senior Center or a charity of your choice.