Charles R. "Chuck" Koller

Charles R. "Chuck" Koller, 94, North Manchester, IN died at 8:10 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2015 in Select Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN. He was born November 16, 1920 in North Manchester, IN to William Henry & Violet (Naber) Koller. He graduated from Manchester High School, 1938, Manchester College 1943 AB Chemistry Major, University Chicago 1944 Certificate Meteorology (MS Equivalent), Purdue University 1948 MS Organic Chemistry, Purdue University 1950 PhD Organic Chemistry. After graduating from Manchester U., Charles served in the U.S. Army Air Corp 1944-1946 as a First Lieutenant, and was stationed as a weather officer in Sarasota, Fla. It was there that he married the former Joan Lautzenhiser. In 1946 they returned to Purdue University where Charles graduated with a PhD degree in chemistry in 1950. He worked as a research scientist in the Pioneering Research Laboratory of the E.I. DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del. After receiving over thirty patents, he retired and returned to North Manchester where he and Joan lived on Riverside until moving to Peabody Retirement Community in 2000. He most enjoyed summer reunions at the lake with his many children and grandchildren and any Purdue sports. He was a member of Society of Sigma XI-1950, Phi Lambda Upsilon-1949, The Scientific Research Society of America-1952, American Chemical Society-1950-present- Emeritus Status, American Institute of Chemists-Fellow 1960, The Fiber Society-1960-present, International Executive Service Corp - Century Rayon-Bombay, India - 3 months-1988, Manchester Rotary Club-1984-present, Rotary Volunteer-India-1988, Scientific Society of Southwest Florida-Ft. Myers, FL programs and field trips & judging science fair projects. He was a member of United Methodist Church, North Manchester, IN. Technical publications: Scientific Articles and patents - 30 United States and foreign. In retirement: Chemical & Textile Consulting, C.R. Koller Associates, Hanno-Werk, Laatzen, Germany and Abresist, Urbana, IN. He married Joan Lautzenhiser on October 22, 1944. She died March 14, 2013. He is survived by five sons, James (Sue) Koller, Geneva, IL, John (Gloria) Koller, Fort Myers, FL, William (Nancy) Koller, Ellicott City, MD, Robert (Beverly) Koller, Baltimore, MD and David (Cathy) Koller, Saline, MI; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. One sister is deceased. Family and friends may call Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Peabody Chapel, 400 West Seventh Street, North Manchester, IN. Services will be Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Peabody Chapel, 400 West Seventh Street, North Manchester, IN. Pastor Larry Ray and Pastor Mark Eastway will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Chuck Koller, memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church, 306 E. Second Street, North Manchester, IN 46962. To send a private condolence to the Koller family, use the condolence link on the homepage.