SUN CITY ¬– Charles (Chuck) Andrus was a “fascinating man” of many talents and a high-level business and leadership consultant when he came to Sun City in 2003 from California. He also was a dedicated churchgoer who was very active in a Woodstock church, friends and family members said in the wake of his recent sudden death.
A part-time professor at Judson University and Webster University in the Chicago area, the 71-year-old Andrus died in a bicycle accident on Aug. 7 in Door County, Wisconsin. He and a long-time friend, Brenda Young, 62, of Hilliard, Ohio, were bicycling in Peninsula State Park near Fish Creek on rented bikes when Andrus reportedly looked behind him and then apparently lost control of his bike and fell onto rocks on the side of the trail. He was not wearing a helmet at the time. He suffered severe head trauma, and rescue and paramedic crews were unable to revive him at the scene.
A resident of N.16, Andrus was involved in many ministries and activities at First Presbyterian Church in Woodstock during the past nine years. He was a member of the Presbytery Business Affairs Committee and the church’s finance committee when plans were made for a new building that the church now occupies on Route 47 in the community. He also worked on sound production for services, sang on a Rivers of Praise worship team, and taught in the church’s vacation bible school.
“He was a fascinating man who was interested and knowledgeable in many areas and who volunteered in several ministries in our church,” said Janet Potter, a member of the church’s staff.
He was an adjunct professor of management, leadership, and criminal justice, mostly on the Rockford campus of Judson University, a school spokesperson said. Starting in 2003, when he moved to Sun City, he taught courses in public finance and budgeting, management, and leadership. Andrus previously lived in California, where he worked in the corporate field as an independent consultant for more than 25 years.
In addition to Young, he is survived by a sister, Josephine Gonzales of Sun City, and a nephew, Eduardo Gonzales. A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Woodstock on Aug. 18.
