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

Thanks for the memories Chuck! Katie

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.

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.