"I was a birding and Boy Scout buddy of Chuck. We had many adventures together including some out of state bird chases. I remember in 2012 we left one morning for Nebraska in search of a reported rare Common Crane Chuck had heard about. After an 8 hour drive we found it within 20 minutes. We didn't expect to find it so soon and had planned on spending the night, but due to our good luck we decided to return home the same day. It was an 18 hour road trip in one day, but we had fun. Chuck was a great guy. I posted his obit on the state bird club (Minnesota Ornithologists Union) listserv and received many comments from his birding friends expressing their sympathies. Everyone had fond memories."
In loving memory of
Charles Krulas
February 2, 1938 - November 26, 2020
Charles A. "Chuck" Krulas, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at the age of 82.
Chuck was born in Red Wing, MN where he spent much of his youth playing along the Mississippi River and working to become an Eagle Scout. After high school, he spent four years in the Navy on the destroyer USS Blandy as a sonar technician. Upon his return from the Navy in 1962 he married Joanne Huppert of Prescott, WI. They moved to Rochester where Chuck worked as a Quality Engineer at IBM for 30 years until his retirement.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, and canoeing in the Boundary Waters and had a deep affection for dogs. Chuck was very involved with the Boy Scouts as a Scout Leader, a member of the Order of the Arrow, and as a Wood Badge Instructor. In 1999 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to his council. Later in life, he became a volunteer at Quarry Hill Nature Center and was an avid birdwatcher, traveling around the state to spot rare birds and participate in bird counts. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Joanne; his son, Mark of Miami, FL; his daughters, Dawn McWhorter of Menomonie, WI and Jill Walker of Lake Placid, NY, and his grandchildren Hannah and Ben McWhorter.
Donations in Chuck's memory can be made to Quarry Hill Nature Center, 701 Silver Creek Rd., NE, Rochester, MN 55906
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Krulas family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"I was lucky enough to have birded with Chuck. What a good guy. You are all nestled gently in my thoughts and prayers. To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die."
"Our sympathy goes out to Chucks wife and family. He was an amazing scoutmaster. Our son achieved the rank of Eagle with Chucks influence and guidance. Our prayers go out to your family."
"My sympathies to the Krulas Family. Chuch was my scoutmaster and he even made a personal visit to my home to make sure I had filled out the proper paperwork for the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a good man sorry for your loss. Kevin Furr"
"My sympathies to the Krulas family. I would go birding with Chuck around Rochester and he was always fun to spend time with. He has been missed in the local birding community. "
"Bob and I are so sorry at the loss of Chuck. Our sympathies go to Joanne, Mark, Dawn and Jill and families. Chuck and Joanne were so welcoming to Bob and I when we moved into our home on 8 1/2 Avenue! They were wonderful neighbors right across the street from us! Chuck and Joanne had a ?welcome to the neighborhood? party for Bob and I in 1974! They were both always there to help and were always neighborly and good friends! Again, we are sorry at the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. Blessings, Susan and Bob Boyles"
"I knew Chuck way before we started to build Crow Wing Scout Reservation. He was a great asset to the building process that was huge. He was a great leader in the Troop and worked in many District positions as well. He was my main resource for the Eagle population and called me often let me know how many eagles were in Minnesota and how many in each county. I have many memories of Chuck and will miss him. Bob Jenkins, fellow Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver recipient "
"I knew Chuck from my Scouting days and lived a couple of blocks away in Meadow Park. I remember him walking the neighborhood (perhaps looking for birds). Blessings to the family. Michael Pagelkopf"