Charles Weckwerth at Commencement

This photograph shows Springfield College alumnus and faculty member Charles F. Weckwerth at commencement.Dr. Charles F. Weckwerth (March 7, 1908—November 28, 2002) was born in New York City to Marcella (Moore) and Paul Weckwerth. He married Mary Haeffner, his childhood sweetheart, in 1930. Weckwerth earned his BS from Springfield College in 1931 and his MS in 1934. While a student, he was elected to the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and earned varsity letters in gymnastics and swimming. Weckwerth served on the faculty at Springfield College from 1931-1937. He also received his MA from Columbia University in 1938, where he was elected to Phi Delta Kappa. From 1938-1942, he served as the Director of the Men’s Division at the Providence YMCA. Weckwerth returned to Springfield College as a faculty member in 1942. However, the following year he left to serve in the US Navy as Lieutenant Commander for Welfare and Recreation. Weckwerth returned to Springfield College in 1946 and continued teaching there until his retirement in 1976. In 1987, he received an Honorary Doctor of Humanics Degree from Springfield College. While on the faculty there, he established and directed the Community and Outdoor Recreation Division (now called Sports Management and Recreation). Weckwerth held several offices in many professional organizations, including the National Recreation and Parks Association, American Alliance of Healthy, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, American Recreation Society, New England Park Association, and the first American Camping Association. He also wrote for many professional journals and lectured often at conventions of national professional organizations. He was named Distinguished Professor of Humanics at Springfield College in 1973, 1974, and 1975. After his retirement in 1976, he served as the volunteer archivist at Babson Library until 1990. The Tarbell Medallion, the highest alumni award at Springfield College, was presented to him in 1978 for distinguished service to the college. He highly valued community service and served on the boards of the Western Massachusetts Girl Scouts, Springfield Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Urban League, Visiting Nurses Association, United Fund and Community Council. He was also on the board of directors at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Lee, Massachusetts