Chuck Kitlinger

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Chuck Kitlinger (L) with Art Farmer, October 1986

Bruce Charles Kitlinger
05 May 1951 - 21 Jan 1992

Clubs & Associations

Capital City Squares

Obituary

Bruce C. Kitlinger
Died in Sacramento

Bruce C. Kitlinger, 40, died recently in his home in Sacramento as a result of a diabetic coma. Born May 5, 1951 in Titusville, Penn., he was a former resident of Chula Vista.

He was a 1969 graduate of Castle Park High School, where he was president of the senior class and Future Teachers of America Club and served as chairman of the Trojan Knights. He also attended University of California, Irvine, and Southwest College in Sacramento.

He was employed as an administrative assistant for Schultze, Wallace and O'Neill, an accounting firm in Sacramento. Prior to that, he worked 15 years for Florsheim Shoes in San Diego, San Francisco, Reno, Nev., and Sacramento.

He was a member of the Methodist Community Church in Sacramento.

Survivors include his parents Kenneth and Evelyn Kitlinger, formerly of Chula Vista, now residing in Simi Valley; brothers Lee "Buck" Kitlinger of Chula Vista, Donald of Navasota, Texas, and Philip Kitlinger of Simi Valley; and sister Laraine Medearis of Simi Valley.

He is also survived by his aunts Hazel Kurinko and Frieda Bertges, both of Chula Vosta, Marie Piatt of Geneva, Penn. and Leota Henderson of El Cajon.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Edward and Terry Kitlinger.

Memorial services were in Sacramento and burial will be in Titusville.[1]


B. Charles Kitlinger
5/5/51 - 1/21/1992

We were shocked and saddened by the loss of "Chuck" Kitlinger on January 21st from complications related to diabetes. Born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, he is survived by his parents Ken and Evelyn Kitlinger of Simi Valley, CA., a sister Lorraine, and brothers, Buck, Don and Phil.

For the last four years Chuck worked for a local CPA firm as Assistant to the office Administrator. Chuck always had a smile, a good word to say and did thoughtful things for those he worked with. His greatest contribution to the work environment was that others saw Chuck, a gay man, as a warm and caring human being. He taught those around him a lot about themselves. The company he worked for has planted a redwood tree in McKinley Park in his memory. Friends have temporarily placed Chuck's two cats -- Blondie and Dagwood -- in a veterinarian's keeping. If you might wish these animals, please contact Joy at 447-7855.

Chuck was active in the Great Valley Cadillac Association, Capitol Squares, The Prime 8's Square Dancers and the Pillars Organization. His zest for life always brought energy and enthusiasm to those he touched. His wit and humor will be missed in person, on the Country Western Dance floor and on the computer board. Thanks Chuck for giving us so much.[2]

Remembrances

Chuck Kitlinger, a longtime members of Capital City Squares, died January 21, 1992. Although Chuck was not currently an active member of the Club, he attended many of the Club's special events. Chuck remained in contact with many CCS members through the computer bulletin board network (Acropolis), country-western dancing, and general around-the-townness.

I first met Chuck at a CSS dance held in Sacramento while I was living in San Francisco. The time frame was 1985. Although I don;t know the exact date, I remember the evening very well. I was one of only a few Western Star Dancers who made the 80+ mile trek to Sacramento. The dance was held in the round Senior Center at 27th and J Streets. Cruising the crowd, I decided Chuck was the cutest guy at the dance and plotted my move. As it turned out, we were wearing identical gray boots. As silly as that seems now, that's the line I used to break the ice and start a conversation. A tip later I dashed out to my car only to return in my yellow pumps (which many of you have seen at various IAGSDC conventions)! Chuck thought these were great and eventually danced a tip in my shoes. At this point in time, Chuck was a shoe salesman and claimed he had never worn pumps before.

Over the next two years, Chuck (and Art Framer) made many visits to San Francisco in that big Cadillac convertible, frequently staying with Tom [Tripp] and me. On at least one other visit to Sacramento, Tom and I stayed with Chuck and Art while attending CSS events. As timed passed we saw less and less of one another, but Chuck always had a big friendly smile and hug ready for me when we did see each other, usually in a square at a special event or fly-in.

In early 1991, when I moved to Sacramento, Chuck was one of the first people to extend a "Welcome to Sacramento" to me. Over the last year I saw Chuck several times, mainly on C & W night at Faces but also at CSS events. He frequently wore those same gray boots.

Most recently, Chuck worked for a small law firm in downtown Sacramento as a computer specialist. He was apparently a shining star in that organization as his co-workers organized a living memorial to Chuck. On Tuesday, January 28, the office closed for the day at 12:30 p.m. so that all members of the staff could attend a memorial service. A redwood tree was planted in Chuck's memory near the rose garden in McKinley Park.

Farewell, Chuck. May the road to happiness be filled with waltzes, two steps, and a few do-sa-dos.

For those who may wish to acknowledge Chuck, please contact his parents: Kenneth & Evelyn Kitlinger, 2566 Victoria Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065.
James Ozanich

Memorial Panel

Photos


Sources

  1. The Star-News (Chula Vista, CA) Saturday 08 Feb 1992, p.A2 col.3
  2. The Latest Issue (Sacramento, CA) Mid-February 1992, p.6