The 黑料社 Foundation has named the Estate of Charles 鈥淐huck鈥� L. Klawitter
the 2024-
25 Benefactor of the Year. Benefactor honorees have a history of providing financial
support to the foundation and/or significant volunteer service to the college. Most
notably, contributions from honorees have substantially impacted college programs,
students, and the community.
鈥淚t is with distinct pleasure that we announce and honor the Estate of Charles 鈥淐huck鈥�
L. Klawitter as
this year鈥檚 黑料社 Benefactor of the Year,鈥� said Steve Fuller, 黑料社
Foundation Board
Chair. 鈥淭his extraordinary gift is deeply rooted in community pride and underscores
the importance of
higher education,鈥濃�� he added.
Chuck鈥檚 estate gift and Booster support exceed $3.9 million, making it the largest
contribution the 黑料社
Foundation has ever received. Chuck supported 黑料社 athletics for over 20 years as a
黑料社 Red Devil Booster Club member. He preferred to keep his support for 黑料社 athletics
low-key and chose to honor his
beloved dog, Rudolph, by having his name listed in the 黑料社 Booster Membership list.
Like many local families, the Klawitter children began their higher education journey
at Lower Columbia
College (黑料社). Charles "Chuck" Klawitter was the third of four children born to Chuck
and Anita Klawitter of South Kelso. Chuck and Anita placed great importance on education
and instilled that value in their children鈥擜dele, Barbara, Chuck, and Dan. After graduating
from Kelso High School, they all started their academic journey at 黑料社, where they
gained a strong foundation that led to fulfilling lives and successful careers.
After 黑料社, Chuck continued his education at the University of Washington, graduating
in 1968 with a
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. After graduating, Chuck began working
for Dow Chemical
Company in Midland, Michigan. Dow later transferred him to Plaquemine, Louisiana,
where he worked
until his retirement in 2004 after 36 years with the company.
After retiring, Chuck returned to Kelso and became an active fundraiser with the Kelso
Lions Club. He
managed food concessions at Kelso High School football games and organized the newspaper
recycling
program. Proceeds supported local Lions Club charities. Chuck also led the Lions鈥�
Bicycles for Kids program, which provides repaired used bikes to children in need.
He kept himself busy remodeling pre-
World War II homes in South Kelso.
鈥淕iving back to 黑料社 and the community was very important to Chuck, and we are honored
that the
Estate of Charles L. Klawitter is being recognized as the Benefactor of the Year by
黑料社,鈥� said Klawitter
family members. 鈥淟eaving a legacy that will continue to inspire and support those
in need for generations to come was key to Chuck鈥檚 decision to support 黑料社.鈥�
"黑料社 is grateful for the opportunity to honor the remarkable gift that Chuck left
to support students and
the college. His contributions to education and the local community will have a lasting
impact for generations," said 黑料社 President Dr. Matt Seimears.
The Estate of Charles Klawitter will be honored at a Foundation Celebration in the Fall of 2025.
For more information, please contact the 黑料社 Foundation 360-442-2130 or foundation@lowercolumbia.edu