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Charles ‘Chuck’ Bigelow Weidner, 79, lifelong fly fisherman

Charles 'Chuck' Bigelow Weidner
Charles ‘Chuck’ Bigelow Weidner

Charles “Chuck” Bigelow Weidner, 79, of Wilmington, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018.

He was born Oct. 17, 1939, in Queens, New York, to Charles L. and Jean Weidner.

He was preceded in death by brother, Frederick Weidner; and sister, Lucy Weidner.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sherred “Sherry” Weidner; son, Charles W. Weidner, and his wife, Suzanne; daughter, Beth Bell, and her husband, Daniel; and son, James Weidner, and his wife, Sheila. Additionally, and ever important to him, were his eight grandchildren, Margaret, Leslie, Carla, Madigan, James and Jack Weidner and Sherry and Rachel Bell. He is also survived by brother, Thomas Weidner, and his wife, Joan.

Chuck grew up in Cranbury, New Jersey, where he met Sherry and maintained lifelong friendships including his best friend, brother-in-law, William Kugler. Family was important to Chuck, and he kept in touch with various cousins, nieces and nephews.

After graduation from Lehigh University in 1961 with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years as a lieutenant, followed by four years at US Steel Fairless Works near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1970, Chuck and Sherry moved to Wilmington, where he worked in Quality Control for GE until his retirement in 1995.

Chuck was a lifelong fly fisherman who built rods and tied flies for himself and others. His second hobby was gardening; he enjoyed growing food and sharing it with others.

The family invites friends to a celebration of life and reception this from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2, at Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St., Wilmington. The family will hold a private memorial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project Healing Water, Fly Fishing Inc., P.O. Box 695, La Plata, MD 20646; or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.

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