Chuck is starting his fourth year as Treasurer of the Friends. For many years his wife, Nancy, has been an Arboretum volunteer and treasures the friends she’s made over those years. One of those friends was the previous Treasurer of the Friends, Terry Davison. When Terry wanted to spend more time with her ill husband, Chuck suggested that he could do the job as Friends Treasurer. The Friends Board reviewed Chuck’s background in banking, corporate finance, and as a small business owner, and elected him Treasurer. 

Before becoming Friends Treasurer, Chuck knew and loved the Arboretum from many informative “Walks with Warren,” and frequent walks or bike rides through the Arboretum with Nancy, and one or more of their three sons and guests. The White and Storer gardens on the west end are his favorite areas, with the spring aroma of daphne in the White Garden, outside the gazebo being especially nice. Dozens of his photos taken through the years attest to the beauty which makes the Arboretum his favorite Davis attraction. Chuck finds the Arboretum a wonderful place for quiet reflection. In addition to the shaded paths, dozens of welcoming benches and many peaceful corners are perfect places for solitude.

Chuck, a grandfather of five, including Gracie, a vivacious eight-year-old soccer player, recalls retreating to a bench near the gazebo in January 2014. One-and-a-half-year-old Gracie had been flown to the ICU at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Her prognosis was not clear and breathing improvement was limited after three days. The Arboretum  beckoned, and Chuck spent two or three hours there hoping, praying, and wishing for Gracie to live After another difficult day or two, Gracie started improving, and after thirteen days in the ICU, she was able to join her two older siblings at home in Fort Collins. 

As a 4-H club member in Upstate New York years ago, and a few years later in Newtown Square Pennsylvania, Chuck demonstrated decent gardening skills. However, in the recent decades, such skills have become dormant. He still frequently suggests that he will do more in Nancy’s garden, which features many plants from Arboretum plant sales over the years. “We’ll see” says she.