Charles “Chuck” F. Kegley, 89 of Stow, formerly of Kent, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2022, of Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born in Cleveland Ohio, on June 23,1933, to Ernest and Isabelle (Green) Kegley.

Chuck received his undergraduate, and master’s degrees from Kent State University, and his PhD from The University of Pittsburgh.

He treasured his wife Nora, his family, enjoyed living overseas, traveling, bird watching, reading, gardening, “taking the path less traveled”, and ice cream. He had a kind heart and a loving soul.

Chuck was a well-respected educator, starting his career in the Brecksville School system, where he received a Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1960 he began his international work and he actively participated in a variety of overseas projects starting first in Puerto Rico where in 1962 he began his lengthy Peace Corps work. Returning from Puerto Rico after the birth of their second child, the family headed to Tanzania and he worked for US A.I.D. on a university contract for KSU. In 1964, after the birth of their third child he returned to KSU to begin a long career in education. In the summer of 1966, largely due to his efforts, Kent State became the site of a ten-week Peace Corps training school for programs in Venezuela and Bolivia. Kegley served as the project’s director, and, after its completion, he continued to function as the university’s representative to the Peace Corps.

In 1970, Chuck became a training director for a Peace Corps program, on site, in El Salvador. On May 20, 1970 he officially resigned in order to head up the fifty-two-member University Commission to Implement a Commitment to Nonviolence after the tragedy of May 4, 1970. President Robert I. White asked him, as commission chairman, to diligently pursue a “…means for reopening the university and retaining a non-violent atmosphere”. This was later known as The Kegley Commission.

Throughout the sixties and into the seventies, in addition to his personal and professional commitment to the Peace Corps, he and his wife were extremely active in the area of international education at KSU. During the academic year of 1969-70, KSU had approximately four hundred students and ten faculty members studying and teaching abroad. As a coordinator, director, and liaison, Kegley played an important role throughout this period of expansion.

Kegley went on to teach Health Education and later became the department chair and was also department chair of the ACHVE (Adult Counseling Health and Vocational Education) department until his retirement. Following his retirement, he returned to KSU as an Interim Director of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Chuck served on various boards including the KSU Alumni Association, the American Lung Association (ALA), the Ohio Chapter of the ALA, the American Heart Association, the Ohio Chapter of the AHA and served in various other humanitarian efforts, receiving many awards throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Nora (Granat) Kegley (July 2021) with whom he enjoyed traveling the world and enjoying life.

He is survived by his sister Christine (Kegley) Parker of Franklin, OH and children Sheri (Tony) Maloy of Cuyahoga Falls, David (Melissa) Kegley of Canton, OH, and Sue (Greg) Cudworth of Kent, OH. His grandchildren include, Stefani (Nick) Demas of Tacoma, WA, Sarah Shaffer (Davy Hagar) of Seattle, WA, Justin, Morgan and Devon Kegley of Canton, OH and Alli (Athens, Greece) and Sophi Cudworth (Kent, OH). His great grandchildren are Theo, Ruby and Nellie Demas of Tacoma, WA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 1:00PM-3:00PM at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.

Special thanks to Hospice of Western Reserve, and Maplewood Senior Living (and memory care) of Cuyahoga Falls for their loving care of Chuck.

To Share a Memory, Send a Condolence, Light a Candle or Send Flowers, please visit the Tribute Wall at www.bisslerandsons.com.