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Dear friends,

Chuck Bevitt meant a great deal to many of you in the Oceanaires singing community. He gave his time, heart, and spirit generously, and though his passing was solitary, we want to honor him in togetherness.

Please feel free to add your memories - whether it's a story, a photo, a video, or even a simple message. Funny, heartfelt, or thoughtful - anything that helps paint the picture of who Chuck was to you.

Let's keep his memory alive by filling this space with our collective love.

Warmly,

Lawrence

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The one story I wanted to share was back in 2005 or 2006, the risers had to be moved. My dad had moved them a couple of times in his Yukon, and the weight of the risers did damage to the seats of the Yukon and my mom said that's it, no more taking the risers in the Yukon. Chuck said we can move them in my truck, but he himself wasn't available. After asking around at the meeting, no one knew how to drive stick shift, so my dad called me as I had a stick car for a while. So my dad and I went to Chuck's to pick up the truck, and when I got in, because of his height, the seat was all the way back and broken, so I couldn't move it forward. I was literally sitting on the edge of the seat so I could reach the petals. It was a old, smaller, Toyota truck, and it had it's quirks. I couldn't see out the back and there was no side mirror on the right side. So I made my dad drive behind me and help me get over on the freeway. We got to the church, and we got the risers in, and then I drove it to my parent's house. My memory is that someone brought Chuck the morning of the show to my parent's house and then he drove it. I just laughed at how the seat was broken and so far back due to his height. It amazed me how he got in and out of it. My dad and I had a great laugh that he had to be my eyes on the freeway as I literally couldn't see.

Thanks for the memories Chuck! Katie

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Singing with Big and Tall.

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Singing at the Ice Cream Social with Big and Tall.

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This was 2014.

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Thanks to Don Tsuchiyama for emailing this picture.

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Thanks to Don Tsuchiyama for emailing this picture.

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Thanks to Don Tsuchiyama for emailing this picture.

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Thanks to Don Tsuchiyama for emailing this picture.

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When the pandemic forced us to cease gathering for rehearsals soon after I assumed the presidency in 2020, Chuck was instrumental in helping the chorus transition to the new virtual format.

Chuck was critically responsible for setting up the Chapter Website that formed our virtual home and he investigated and supported on-line tools like Jamulus that gave us the opportunity to keep on singing with people around the country during those critical months.

Chuck was one of the most consistent participants in our Zoom rehearsals and could be counted on to contribute a thoughtful response to any of the many problems that I posed. And as we came out of lockdown, he was often THE Baritone for our outdoor Sunday Singing Sessions at Culver City Park or along Ballona Creek.

But the deterioration in his health coincided with our reopening and he was increasingly unable to join us in person. I recall one that one of the last board meetings held in the Zoom format was a discussion of possible additions to our repertoire and Chuck advocated strongly for the Beach Boy's song "In My Room," to the point that he purchased learning tracks to include on the website. And as his own world contracted to his single bedroom apartment, I came to understand the resonance of that song to him.

I will forever connect Chuck to that song.

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I'm late in acknowledging the loss of Big And Tall's baritone, Charles Bevitt, on the far right in this picture. Our lead, Don Tsuchiyama, second from the left, gave us that name, and you can see why. With his customary self-deprecating sense of humor, he would introduce us by saying "I'm big, they're tall". Chuck was the tallest of us.

What I remember most about Chuck was how ruthlessly hard he worked at his part. Baritone is notoriously difficult to sing. It doesn't really sound like a melody, as is the case with lead (obviously) and bass, nor is it at all easy for the singer to hear himself, as is the case with tenor. Chuck sometimes struggled, but offhand I can't remember a single time that he got frustrated, let alone angry. He will be missed.

Baruch dayan emes.

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One Valentine's Day, four singers were put together by our director to see if we'd be a competent quartet. We were Amnon Avidor, David Zasloff, Jim Leedom and Wally Mees. We called ourselves "Heartfelt" and had a great time that year delivering valentines. Our claim to fame was to sing for "Jennifer Lopez", though it was not THAT Jennifer Lopez. Claiming too little time, Leedom, the baritone section leader, replaced himself with Chuck, who was our baritone until recently. The next replacement was when Amnon dropped out and we got Don Tsuchiyama. That's when, as David already wrote, our name was changed by Don to "Big and Tall" (I'm big, they're tall) We were Big and Tall for quite a few years until Don moved from L.A. to Oregon. As Big and Tall, we entered a novice contest one year and took third place, appearing on the cover of the final print issue of the local district publication. We also sang at Boulevard Music on Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City. Once Don moved to Oregon, David Livingston took over at lead and others subbed for him, especially on Valentine's Day. Chuck recently received his 15 year membership card in BHS. Over the years, Chuck had quite a few medical problems, leading to the recent removal of his second kidney. Because of various treatments for serious ailments, he was not a candidate for a kidney transplant, so early this year, he began dialysis. On Thursday, April 10, his housekeeper found him deceased on his living room couch, peacefully sitting there, but no longer with us. Chuck is no longer in the constant pain he lived with recently, and as a renewed believer in Jesus, at home with Him. Rest in peace, Chuck - a great friend and harmonizer.