Charlie Bull

Charlie Bull

August 23, 1958 - September 30, 2017

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Obituary

U.S. Veteran

Charles Arlo “Charlie” Bull, 59, of Platteville, passed on September 30, 2017, after a courageous battle with Cancer.  An informal Celebration of Charlie's Life will be on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at the Holiday Garden Event Center, Potosi. Friends and family may gather at 5:00 p.m., with Celebration services beginning at 6:00 p.m. led with Military Rites by American Legion Post 42 and VFW Post 5274.  Memorials may be made to the Charles Bull Memorial Fund. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is assisting the family.  Online Condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

Charlie was born on August 23, 1958, in LaCrosse, WI, to James E. and Gayle G. (Webster) Bull. He was raised in Platteville, where he attended school; participating in many activities, including photography for the yearbook, drama, track and field and summer swim team. He graduated from Platteville High School in 1976, at which time he enlisted in the US Navy. Charlie served for five years as a photographer, being stationed in Florida, Mississippi and Sicily. After his honorable discharge, he returned to the US, living in the Washington, DC area for several years before returning to the Midwest and earning his Bachelor's degree in Photographic Engineering from St. Cloud State, St. Cloud, MN. He then moved to Texas where he worked in the photographic engineering field before coming back to Platteville, where he built his house while earning his Master's degree in Education at UW-Platteville

“Teaching is a calling”, as Charlie put it – and in 1993 he accepted a position at Potosi School District and has left a legacy as the Tech Ed teacher of over 25 years.  Among his many accomplishments while teaching include: Yearbook advisor – taking thousands of pictures and spent countless hours at school events and functions; A fixture and elder statesman at CESA 3 School to Work Meetings; Trebuchet building; Acquiring a 3-D printer for the School District; Introducing robotics and PLTW (Project lead the way) to the curriculum; Class advisor; VICA advisor; and most importantly – mentoring, inspiring, and touching the lives of countless students, parents, faculty, family, friends, and even random strangers that would happen along the way.  Charlie was passionate about ensuring that the common educational professional was treated with dignity and class. His tireless work for his colleagues and the students were his focal point.

In 2006, he married Linda Hudson in Platteville, where the couple has always made their home. Charlie's greatest joys were spending time with family and friends and walking his dog, Milo.  With every fishing trip, road trip, boating trip, motorcycle ride, house party, holiday, music fest and vacation there are fond memories and great “Charlie” stories.  His happy demeanor, tenacity, advice, and feisty attitude will be missed by all who knew him.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Linda, Platteville; children Trista (Richie) Reuter, Hammond, WI and Chealsey (Matt) Steffen, Platteville; grandchildren Ryan, Lucy, Zoey and Ely; mother Gayle Bull, Mineral Point; sisters Kelly Bull, Mineral Point, Patty Hartline, Fennimore and Becky (Jim) Reich, Hollandale; mother-in-law Mary Kann, Prairie du Chien; sister-in-law Nola (Aziz) Karim,  Sedro Wooley, Washington; brother-in-law Mark Kann, St Louis, MO; nieces and nephews; Scot (Laura) Hartline, Lancaster, David Hartline, Lancaster, James Reich, Hollandale, Libby (Brent Rogers) Reich, Fitchburg, and Paul Reich, Mt. Horeb, Shakil Karim, San Francisco, Jenna Karim, San Jose; 10 great-nieces and -nephews; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, James E. Bull; father-in-law Walter Kann; grandparents Charles and Sylvia (Dettinger) Bull and Arlo and Dorothy (Goodman) Webster; and several aunts and uncles.

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Steve Stanek
Other •
Charlie and I had some great times, from the swim team to cramming all night at UW-P library doing extra credit to being called into the office by the guidance counselor being stoned to the bone and her asking us to be escorts for the Junior Miss Pageant and best of all, getting caught egging a bus from Lancaster High. Last time I heard from Charlie was a letter he sent me telling me he had enlisted in the Navy and that was a long time ago. I have often thought about Charlie, wondering how life was treating him, if he was doing well and successful in his endeavors. I can not say that I will miss him, for I have not had contact with him in years, but I can say that the times we spent together will always be our memories and never forgotten. My deepest condolences to James and Kelly. In closing, only Charlie and I will know what was said in the Lancaster High School principle's office. God's speed on your new journey, my friend. Steve
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Renee Gardner
Other •
Linda, and family, you have our sincerest condolences at this time. Charlie was truly one of a kind. Kindest man I knew! He taught 2 of my kids at Potosi, and they respected him very much! He will be missed!!
SL
Sue Lange
Other •
My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. I remember spending lots of time at the Bull house. He will be greatly missed.
MW
Mary Wedig
Other •
My deepest sympathy for the loss of the amazing guy! I enjoyed working at Potosi with Charlie for 15 years. I loved when he was asked how he was and Charlie would say "Living the dream!". He would come into my classroom to check on what the kids were cooking. He would encourage the kids to try different foods and would speak of some of the places and foods that he had tried when he was in the service. He even brought in a hard sewing project to get fixed but it was not possible. He would always thing outside of the box and would challenge me and his students to take risks. He did a lot for the staff when working for a new contract. I can't say enough of the special person that he was and the stories that he told when he was in the service also. Charlie will be truly missed.
JC
Joel Cairy
Other •
Very sorry to hear this about Charlie. My sympathy to the Bull family.
KS
Katherine Strong
Other •
Condolences. I truly enjoyed working with Charlie in Potosi and running into him for drinks.

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