It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Charles “Chuck” Gooley on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Chuck was a beloved member of the Sierra Club family, and his contributions and presence will be missed by all who knew and worked with him.
Chuck’s passion for the outdoors and environmental advocacy was matched only by his tireless commitment to volunteerism. Chuck was an active volunteer member of the Angeles Chapter Web Committee for over a decade, always eager to offer assistance and pick up any project left unfinished.
A steady fixture in the Sierra Club’s Crescenta Valley Group since 2009, Chuck served as webmaster and email moderator for over sixteen years, always ensuring that members were informed about programs and events through his work on both local and regional newsletters, including for Orange County, and always with a smile. He drove long distances to attend management meetings, and his quiet dedication to clear communication helped strengthen the Club’s connection with its members and the public.
An early and enduring member of the Angeles Chapter’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee, Chuck joined at its inception nearly 20 years ago and over the years was its most dedicated and productive member and webmaster. His ESRI mapping work supported a wide range of Sierra Club initiatives, from conservation and sustainability advocacy to political engagement and environmental justice. He created and regularly updated political maps that displayed Sierra Club group boundaries with civic districts across Los Angeles County and the state. His contributions included maps prepared for Stoneview Nature Center’s conference on the daylighting of creeks in the Ballona watershed, to extensive mapping for the Chapter’s Water Committee, of which he was also a longstanding and valued member.
Chuck was also the first caretaker of both the original and the current SoCalWaterSierraClub.org websites and a long-standing and valued member of the Water Committee, serving most recently as its Vice Chair. He never turned down a challenge and often asked for more work to do. Whether crafting customized maps, assisting with presentations and graphics, or maintaining websites, Chuck brought skill, humility, and heart to everything he touched.
Chuck received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UCLA and master’s from CSU Los Angeles, and worked as a research chemist, then as a software engineer for various aerospace companies. Most recently, he volunteered to build websites for many other nonprofit organizations besides the Sierra Club.
Beyond his technical skills, Chuck was a joyful presence on hikes and in meetings. He often led Sierra Club hikes, bounding up the mountain trails with a vitality that inspired those around him. “He could shoot up the mountains like a jackrabbit,” his wife Kathy recalled, “while I was way in the back clawing for the next rock to hold onto.”
Chuck’s service was recognized in 2016 when he received a Special Service award from the Angeles Chapter, and again in 2023 when he received the Sally and Les Reid Conservation Award from Sierra Club California in honor of his volunteer contributions. Yet perhaps his greatest reward was the sense of community and purpose he found through his work. “Chuck loved you all in the Sierra Club,” Kathy shared. “And I know you all loved and valued him.”
Our lives were richer for having Chuck in them. His dedication, generosity, and cheerful spirit left an indelible mark on the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Words of appreciation from Lore Pekrul, Fred Dong, Charming Evelyn, Pat Kramer, Silvia Darie, Ann Zumwinkle, and Kathy Gooley.
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Chuck Gooley’s funeral mass will be at St. Genevieve Catholic Church (14061 Roscoe Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402) on May 30 2025 at 10am.