Dedicated to Chuck Maddox
Chuck Maddox (center) with astronauts Charlie Duke and Wally Schirra, July 2007.
Farewell, Chuck. Good Luck and Godspeed.
Chuck Maddox passed from this Earth on May 12, 2008 at his home in St. Charles, Illinois. The collector community lost one of the giants in the field, and I don't mean that in the "John Candy" sense that Chuck often jokingly used.
Chuck had many hobbies and interests, but I knew him best through the hobby of watch collecting. His writings and contributions to the hobby were of such a caliber that they changed and advanced the entire hobby itself.
Though he did not start collecting watches until 1999, his dedication to the hobby was such that in just a few short years he became one of the field's foremost experts especially regarding vintage Omega and Heuer chronographs. He could discuss watch history with historians from factory museums and sometimes even correct them, and show his work to prove his point. In 2007 during the higly publicized Antiquorum "Omegamania" thematic auction of Omega watches in Switzerland, many listings featured what might otherwise have seemed like curious notations in the descriptions like "So-called 'Darth Vader'" and "So-called 'Jedi'". But those who knew Chuck knew the secret: Chuck's choices of themes from science fiction (another of his many interests) as his own informal nicknames gained wider and wider acceptance until they were even used in the highest circles of the international trade.
One of the greatest things about Chuck was that he was always ready to share of his time and his knowledge. He would readily answer online inquiries about even the most esoteric details of watch colleting from people in far-away places he might never meet. He posted voluminous responses to inquiries in forums that that were full of fact, detail, and often humor that would interest and educate even those who might otherwise have not even have had interest in the question. He wrote articles so detailed and complete with his famous scholarly thoroughness that were so well respected that quoting one of them could promptly end debate. And not only did his works serve as an unmatched and invaluable reference but just as importantly they inspired others to create their own works while striving to emulate the depth, detail, and quality of his work.
Chuck's knowledge and the great lengths he went to in order to selflessly share that knowledge were a direct inspiration to me for writing this article. It was one of the greatest compliments to me as a collector when my simple Omega serial number chart was given the great honor of being added to Chuck's infamous "Watch Articles" page. As I wrote I could only hope that this article might be good enough to be afforded the same honor. Indeed, it was really the news of Chuck's passing that got me to get off my tail and finally "go final" on the working drafts I had been beating around for a year to honor his legacy. Sadly, I waited too long.
"Good Luck and Godspeed" is the traditional send-off given to NASA astronauts at launch. As Chuck was a dedicated space enthusiast I thought it a fitting farewell. I hope Chuck would agree.
>>> Proceed to Part 1 - Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Overview >>>
Chuck's Obituary
| Charles Eugene Maddox III | ||
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Born: Aug. 7, 1961; in New Orleans, La. Died: May 12, 2008; in St. Charles He was fifth generation Maddox Construction ST. CHARLES - Charles Eugene Maddox III, 46, of St. Charles, died Monday, May 12, 2008, at his home. He was born Aug. 7, 1961, in New Orleans. He was employed with his father in Maddox Construction Co. before becoming employed by Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for seven years. He was the fifth generation of Maddox Construction Co. Inc. that specializes in golf courses. He is survived by his sister, Laurie, of St. Charles. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Barbara Maddox. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St., corner of Routes 64 and 25, St. Charles. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the funeral home. The Rev. Steve Miller will officiate. Burial will be at Union Cemetery, St. Charles. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. For information, call Yurs Funeral Home at 630-584-0060 or visit www.yursfuneralhomes.com. Please sign the guest book at www.KCChronicle.com/obits |
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