Charles Hungerford

Charles “Chick” Hungerford, 93, of Lancaster died on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Homestead Village. He was the son of the late Herbert Eugene and Doris (Emmons) Hungerford. Chick and his wife Nancy (Eckman) Hungerford met at Springfield College and have been married for 67 years. He was a member of SHAPE America Eastern District for 44 years and PSAHPERD for 54 years has a never-ending desire and passion for physical activity, teaching and learning, and service to the profession. Throughout his career, he has been called scholar, teacher, coach, administrator, president, advocate, mentor, colleague, and friend. He has been a role model for lifelong physical activity and his commitment and excitement for remaining physically active over the years has been a true inspiration to all. Chick’s first encounter with physical activity came from watching his older brother play baseball with his dad. He soon took an interest in himself and began to engage in several neighborhood pick-up games of football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. His love and passion for participating in sports continued in high school as a member of the soccer, basketball and track and field teams. Following high school, Chick attended Springfield College where he studied physical education and was a member of the track and field and soccer teams. He was a runner for the 1952 one-mile relay team that won the gold medal in the Boston Athletic Games and was named to the All-New England Soccer Team and a candidate for the All-American Team. Upon graduating from Springfield College Chick was hired as a teacher for health and physical education, social studies, and science in Woodbridge, CT. Although it was here that Chick began to make his mark on teaching health and physical education by instilling the value for being physically active, teaching was short-lived for Hungerford as he was soon called to serve in the United States Army. While serving in the Army, Chick was given the rare chance of a lifetime – an invitation to the Olympic trials for a sport on the United States Olympic Soccer Team. With over 180 candidates at the trials, Chick made it to the final cut of 20 players left to fight for the 14 spaces available on the team. Although he was not fortunate enough to make the team, he felt it was a very proud and memorable moment in his life. Following the trials he returned to his military duties where he became a member of the US Army soccer team and played for the remainder of his military term. In 1956, Charles W. Hungerford returned to the field of health and physical education and truly began to impact the lives of others serving in a variety of educational positions such as teacher, coach, and administrator. Chick shared his knowledge and expertise while serving as a middle and high school physical education teacher in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania from 1954-1968. He spent the next 11 years serving as the chairman of health and physical education and the athletic director for Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA. The last fourteen years of his career before retiring were spent as the Program Coordinator for health and physical education for the School District of Lancaster, PA. Those individuals that were fortunate enough to reap the benefits of Chick’s teaching, leadership, and support know firsthand of the importance of what he has done for the profession. The dedication, commitment, and hard work of Chick was evident throughout his career and recognized on several occasions at the state, district, and national levels. He has received numerous awards from various organizations including the 2014 R. Tait McKenzie Award, the 2014 Lancaster New Era Red Rose Award, and 2011-2012 USTA Middle States Award, the Central Penn District Presidential Award with his wife Nancy, the 2010 Lancaster Tennis Patrons Association Richard T. Green Community Tennis & Service Award, the 2010 Eastern District/AAHPERD Council for Aging & Development Award, the 2007 PSAHPERD Professional Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award to name a few. Recognition for Chick began as early as 1977 and varied from year to year receiving highest distinction awards, honor awards, service awards, presidential awards, outstanding contribution awards, and many more. The uniqueness of his commitment comes from over 50 years of service and passion for the profession along with his desire to be physically active. It was in 1957 that Chick began his service to the profession and has continued to serve every year since then at the state, district, and national levels in various capacities. Throughout his career, he has served as a member/chair of several committees, convention manager, treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian, and president of PSAHPERD, Eastern District, and NASPE. In addition to serving as a secretary to the profession, Chick has been involved in community engagement for over 50 years serving: as a secretary and board member for the Avalon Yacht Club of NJ, (he and Nancy initiated the first summer recreation program for young members), the Manor Township Recreation and Parks Board, Manor Township High School, the Penn Manor School Board, the Boys Club of Lancaster, the Lancaster Tennis Patrons Association, the United States Tennis Association – Middle States and the Lancaster Occupation Development Center. Chick has demonstrated exemplary service that has had a tremendous impact on several communities, professional organizations, and its members. The community was extremely grateful for his dedication and endless giving of himself and his time. Charles W. Hungerford was a rare gem who devoted his life and career to the field of health, physical education, and athletics. He was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him. He has taught us all the true meaning of serving and teaching. It is through his teaching and service to the field that he supported those invested in the profession today and helped to pace the way for the future professionals of tomorrow. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son-in-law, Dr. David Thomas of Brookline CT. He was preceded in death by his daughter, the late Jill Eckman Hungerford, Ph.D who died in 1999, and six brothers the late, Rodney, Kenneth, Richard, Herbert, William, Donald Hungerford; two sisters, Thelma H. Moyle, and Harriet Callahan. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Chick’s Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024, at Church of the Apostles, 1850 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 with Pastor Kathy Kuhn officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The interment will take place in Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Homestead Village Endowment fund (Fickes House), 1800 Village Circle, Lancaster, PA 17601, or to the Dr. Jill E. Hungerford Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Tennis Central of Lancaster, PA 2471 Creek View Dr. Lancaster, PA 17602. THANK YOU FOR THE INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING AND LESSONS, FOR TAKING OUR HANDS, OPENING OUR MINDS, AND TOUCHING OUR HEARTS!