Charles “Chuck” Anton Schmutzer
January 17, 1949 – January 7, 2024
On Jan 7, 2024, Covid freed Charles Anton (Chuck) Schmutzer from his dementia prison and he passed away peacefully at Atikokan General Hospital at 1:13 am.
Chuck was born on January 17, 1949, in Korneubrug. Austria, and at 5 years old traveled across the ocean with his family to start a new life in Toronto, where he grew up. In the mid 70’s he ventured west to Kenora, where he worked as a DJ, bouncer and in construction. The siding company he worked for brought him to Atikokan, where he met Heather (Lang) Peterson and they married two years later in their backyard, on August 9, 1980. It was the beginning of his new strong bond of love and family with Heather, her son, Cory Peterson, and Heather’s parents, Betty and Robert “Bud” Lang. He started as Cory’s friend and soon became his dad.
Chuck first worked as a DJ and in construction. He was involved with the building of Finlayson Bridge, the Atikokan Generating station, and dismantling of Steep Rock Iron Mines when they closed. He then bought and operated Chuck’s Car Wash and headed out on the highway as a long-haul transport driver. He also returned to school and received his Electrical Power Production diploma from Centennial College in Toronto and his Small Engine Repair diploma from Rainy River College in International Falls. The rest of his education he received from life.
Along with his strong sense of family, Chuck quickly developed a commitment to community and friends as Atikokan became his home. He stepped right in and happily helped Heather from the sidelines with Mark Street School activities and connected the Travel Team to their first Blue Jays Game in Toronto. He also curled and played softball with the Atikokan Generating Station teams.
He supported Heather wholeheartedly, especially with the Atikokan Mining Attraction. He and the dedicated retired miners on the board, did the grunt work of setting up the attraction in the old fire hall and placing the artifacts, banners, and murals throughout town, celebrating our mining history. He was also a volunteer and one of the top fundraisers with Atikokan’s “Ride for Sight” committee.
Next to family, Chuck’s passion was his Harley and the open highway. This passion he shared with Cory and grandson Nick. Even when he wasn’t on his bike, he found a reason almost daily to hop in the truck and head into town for an apple fritter, a coffee and a visit with John and Joe. Afterwards, he would hurry back to the comfort of his wife and home.
With just a chain saw, a book from the library and help from Heather, her dad “Bud” and Cory, he began construction on our house on Hancock Blvd. This building trend continued to Hoist Narrows where Heather’s dad would draft out the plans and hand them, one wall at a time, to Chuck and his friend, Alan. The two would then build the wall and wait for the plans for the next one.
Chuck was not afraid to try anything. He had no fear. If it needed to be done, it was done. He just did it.
If someone needed help, he just helped, especially people he found stranded on the highway in his travels or some poor guy getting beat up in the bar. This lack of fear also got him into hot water and the hospital several times.
In February 1998, in a freak ice storm, he fell headfirst off the top of the wood chip trailer to the frozen Sapawe Mill ground. The impact caused head damage and severed the hearing nerves in both ears, making him totally deaf. From this point and for the last 1/3 of his life he was surrounded by silence. This loss knocked him down, but didn’t knock him out. He added a new tattoo to his arm and a sticker to his bike, reading “I AM DEAF, BUT ALIVE TO RIDE)”. The accident took away his ability to hear music, go dancing and actively participate in large groups settings, but it brought a close family even closer together. Chuck’s successful cochlear implant in 2015 gave him about 40% hearing in one ear, in a quiet setting.
Despite the hearing loss, at least four gifts made the rest of Chuck’s life full. First, Cory and Lisa brought him Christy, Nick, and Jessica, his three super grandchildren. With Heather and all of them, Bumpa Chuck laughed, snuggled, hugged, hunted, fished, cooked, partied, sang, cut wood, and gave boat, fishing, and cooking, etc. lessons (some with great unplanned examples of how “NOT” to do it) and lectured or growled when needed.
Christmas eve was a favourite time for him. He would read “The Night Before Christmas” (in his own comical way) to the kids and make his traditional walleye and German potato salad for supper. The big Christmas eve tradition was an evening of entertainment as the kids put on skits, presented their dance routines, sang karaoke, and played drums and guitar.
Second,he and Heather were able to head south with their RV and the Harley. At first, they ventured to Florida and Texas and eventually to Apache Junction, Arizona for the winters. Down there, they met and gathered with so many new and some old friends. He even got to get out the tools again and remodel and build on their park model. Chuck often played softball and Texas Hold’em. He and Heather got to ride the Harley and explore Arizona’s many roads and historical sites - while back home, everyone elses bikes were tucked away for the winter. The rest of the family got to join them several times, including for a great visit to Disneyland.
Third, his home at Hoist Narrows on the Flood Water was his pride and joy. As soon as he finished his first cup of morning coffee, Chuck would be found out in the yard, r garage or down by the lake puttering, building, fixing, fishing, boating, landscaping, dropping a tree or riding the quad. It was there he loved time with his family and the kids as they grew into adults. Out there, neighbours became close friends and life was peaceful and complete for him.
Last, just as dementia started to rob Chuck of himself, his great granddaughter, Claire came into his life, as the Thunder Bay, 2022 New Year’s baby. She gave him back a piece of reality and pure joy.
Chuck was predeceased by his father, Karl Schmutzer (2002); mother, Maria Schmutzer (2009); brother, Wolfgang Schmutzer (2012); father in-law, Robert “Bud” Lang (1985); and mother in-law, Betty Lang (2005).
He will always be remembered and so greatly missed by his family, Heather Schmutzer, Cory and Lisa Peterson; his three grandchildren, Christy Peterson (Dylan Russell), Nicholas Peterson (Kristie Bouchard), Jessica (Brad) Peterson (nee:Dutchak); and great granddaughter, Claire Russell.
Atikokan is not just about its history, its potholes, and mosquitos. It is about the people. Especially in times of difficulty, the people of Atikokan show the true meaning of community, friendship, and compassion. Our family extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who considered Chuck a friend and especially to the businesses like Caron’s Auto and Home Hardware who were so patient with Chuck as dementia took over. We thank Brendan and Buffy at Niobe Lake Lodge where we stayed after Covid and Cancer prevented his trips to Arizona. Buffy, who took Chuck to his appointments in Fort Frances and Atikokan when Heather couldn’t. John and Marlene Hagen, who took Chuck under their wings so many times to let Heather go to appointments. Patricia Dunnet who connected Heather to the support groups that helped her understand and cope with the horrors of his dementia. We also thank all our friends who have supported us through it all.
Our town is so fortunate to have Dr. Rodrigues. She brings back the meaning of a true family doctor. She cared for Chuck as one of her own with such compassion and dignity from his first diagnosis over two years ago, right through to his passing.
Finally, we cannot extend enough praise to every department in Atikokan Hospital, the Acute Care and the Extended Care Wing. Atikokan is so fortunate to have such a professional, caring compassionate team. Under the care of EVERYONE there, Chuck was treated above and beyond.
To remember Chuck and celebrate the life he had with us, a gathering will be planned for the summer of 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Atikokan General Hospital Extended Care Wing, in Chuck’s memory would be gratefully appreciated.
