Charles (Chuck) Matyska 1942 - 2021

Born and educated in Chicago, Chuck's passion was the outdoors. He married Marti in 1969. They bought forty acres in Underhill Township, enjoying the rural life at their hobby farm for over fifty years. Chuck and Marti have two children Kate and Mary.

Chuck was mechanical...building and maintaining industrial plants. Chuck was artistic...owning a taxidermy business for years. Chuck was an ardent hunter...locally and in the Western states. He yearly went bowhunting for elk with his brothers, and he was a Pope and Young record holder.

A long time outdoorsman, he not only hunted; but also fished and developed habitat for birds, butterflies, and animals. He helped legislate laws dealing with endangered species. He loved his garden and chickens.

Chuck, a strong conservationist, was honored by Senator Herb Kohl for his work. As a long time member of the Wisconsin Wildlife Foundation, he served on the board as an officer and president. He also worked as a board member of the Traditional Archers, and was vice president/treasurer of the Wisconsin Bowhunting Heritage Foundation Museum.

Passing on traditions was important to Chuck. With others, he founded a bowhunting museum, and he taught young people how to make long bows. He was a certified archery instructor, and earlier in his life, a boy scout leader.

Locally, Chuck participated on the Underhill Township Land Use Committee, worked on the Underhill Park Committee, and helped establish the Frank Settlement School and Artesian Well.

Loving father of Mary (Jim) Wood and the late Kate (Lee) Page. Grandfather to Ethan and Scott (Helen) Wood and great-grandfather to Luke Wood. Fond brother of Dick (Margaret) Matyska and Don (Kris) Matyska. Brother-in-law to Carl (Vivian) Homolka and Jean (Jim Munger) Hill. Cousin to Barb (Sil) Sucich. Uncle to many nieces and nephews; he especially enjoyed baby-sitting his grandnephew, Maddux.

Chuck died on January 1, 2021 after suffering a stroke at Silver Cross Hospital in Illinois, and the family would like to thank Dr. Reynolds and the staff for their care. A private service with family members is planned for the late spring.

As his brother says, "He lived life as we all should, in honesty and humbleness."

Memorials: Wisconsin Wildlife Foundation

https://wiwf.org/

Wisconsin Bowhunting Heritage Foundation, Inc.

https://www.wisconsinbowhunters.org/museum