Charles “Chuck” Ludwig

1920 – 2013

Warm, soft-spoken and kind, Charles “Chuck” Ludwig was a well-respected Waldron Island resident for more than six decades. Minnesota-born, Chuck discovered the Pacific Northwest as a conscientious objector during World War II. Afterwards, he and his young family settled on Waldron Island, which he playfully called an unintentional community. A peaceable man,

Chuck had a calming influence at community meetings if they grew tense. Community was important to him, and conservation was a passion.

He was not a naturalist, but Chuck could look east from his home to Mount Disney and recognize its rich natural values as well as its beauty. Chuck was instrumental in the permanent protection of Cowlitz Bay Preserve. He, Bitte Baer and Bob Weaver advocated for its preservation, and later, for the Waldron Bitte Baer Preserve. We are grateful they were successful in their efforts, and to the legacy Chuck left when he passed away last June. The San Juan Preservation Trust was the recipient of a wonderful bequest from Chuck’s estate.

Thanks to Meredith Kurose, Josie Scruton and Tony Scruton for their contributions to this article.