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It was 25 years ago exactly that the first issue of 48° North hit the streets. Thus began the sailing industry chapter of Charles Streatch’s life. If you think of life as a book, this was just the last chapter of what was a well lived story, spanning eight decades and two countries, and to those who knew him it was a best seller. Chuck’s longtime friend Lee Lathrop has given an excellent snapshot of Chuck’s life (next page), touching on all the various aspects of Chuck’s life, but let us talk a bit about his days with 48° North. Sailors got to know Chuck as the publisher of 48° North. The sailing industry got to know him as an affable ad salesman for his magazine. For almost 25 years, we got to know Charles (Chuck, Charlie, Charles the Pure) sitting at his desk building ads, discussing the Mariners, Seahawks, golf, music and politics. Chuck always had this irrepressible grin on his face and an impish twinkle in his eye, and he did his best to pass that twinkle on to you. Chuck always believed in the tenet “Moderation in all things.” However, he added his own touch to this advice, “Moderation in all things, including moderation.” He set the tone for the office and the magazine, making sure the work got done, but not at the expense of enjoying life. There’s not many places you can do both but he made it happen. We all have our favorite Chuck story, or rather stories. Mine will always be sitting watching the sun come up, drinking champagne, a quiet celebration of completing yet another magazine. You can share a lot of life in moments like those. He’d share some amazing stories of his life as a jazz musician and one of our favorite passtimes was our own version of “name that tune.” He’d always guess right and then wind up singing some bizarre song so obscure only an old jazz cat would know it. And then there was the word play. People would say they “didn’t feel up to par.” “Well, that doesn’t make sense,” said golfer Chuck. I’ve spent my whole life trying to get under par, that’s a good thing.” In his last days he would comment he was feeling “a little over par.” 48° North was more than a magazine to Chuck, it was his family. Birthdays were always celebrated. Of course the office would have to close that afternoon because of the “sincerity” of the celebration, but a joyous time was important. Part of this ritual was always the reading of the poem. Chuck would always write a poem for family and friends’ birthdays. They were always much anticiptated, very entertaining, and much appreciated. 48° North and Chuck never missed a deadline. Okay, one in the first couple years that involved planes from Tahiti but that doesn’t count. A few years back, when Chuck had his first heart attack, we had to finish the mag without him. This was still in the days of using typesetters and laying down pages on flats to send to the printers. We gathered up the last flat and took it up to his house where he rolled down the last page. His record was intact. On the following pages is a sampling of moments captured of a life being lived – from the bebop jazz musician, the clean-cut newspaper ad salesman, golfer, flyer, and 48° North resident Puck. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but no amount of words can cover this vibrant lifetime. Every time someone dies it sends a ripple through the universe. We’ve all been deeply touched by Chuck’s ripple and will ever remain the better for it. He was always a unique individual here on earth and I see no reason for that to change in the afterlife. Instead of wings I’m sure Chuck will be flying a biplane, jamming on his trumpet and feeling considerably under par. Richard Hazelton ...next page Chuck Streatch Page Two ...back to 48° North title page.
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