 Chuck Strissel
1923 - 2011
Founder and Past President of the Illinois Watercolor Society
Born in Chicago, Illinois 'Chuck' was a lifelong resident of Illinois, moving from Glenview to Ocala, FL in 2003. He proudly served in the U.S. Army as Staff Sergeant in the 87th Infantry Division in WWII under Patton's Third Army, European Theater and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star among other medals.
Chuck was in the insurance business as Owner and President of Insurance Markets Corp. and Vice President of Willis Corroon Insurance Corp., Chicago IL, for over 45 years, retiring in 1987. He was a Past Master of Constellation Lodge#974 Des Plaines, IL and a Master Mason for Fifty Years; Member of the Scottish Rite Bodies In The Valley of Chicago and of Shrine-Medinah Temple in Addison, IL. Chuck was also Past President of the American Red Cross, Chicago, IL; Past President of Toastmasters Int. and Past Officer in the Chicago Board of Underwriters. For many years he played with the Windy City Harmonica Club.
Chuck studied at the American Academy of Art and Northwestern University. He was an Official U.S. Coast Guard Artist and Southeastern Chairman for the Coast Guard Art Program with works displayed aboard the USS Intrepid and the Coast Guard Permanent Collection. He was Past President and Board Member of the Glenview Art League, Signature Professional Member of the International Society of Marine Painters; Founder, Past President and Signature Member of the Illinois Watercolor Society, Inc. Chuck also was a Board Member and Past Treasurer of the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago, IL. He was Awarded "Best Local and Visual Artist of Ocala" in the Ocala Magazine. He had taught Art and Watercolor Painting at the Terra Museum of American Art (an accredited course for Masters Degree students), the Mather Foundation, Wilmette IL, Central Florida Community College, Oakton Community College, Glenview Park District, Villages Lifelong Learning Center, Brick City Center of the Arts and many Children's Art Programs in Ocala where he was affectionately known as "Mr. Chuck". His teaching career also included that of Lecturer and Instructor of "Personal Motivation and Magnetism". Chuck has won many awards for his art and judged numerous Art Fairs and Art Exhibits. Throughout his life Chuck inspired and encouraged many artists and "everyone he met".
The Charles Strissel Memorial Award has been established in his memory.
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