Charles Louis Bessels

Charles Louis Bessels, born April 29, 1964, left us much too soon on November 24, 2022. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Eric Francis and Margaret Jane (Cline) Bessels. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Crawford (Mullins) Bessels; by his son Eric Samuel Bessels and Maxine (Maximo); his son Daniel Charles Bessels; his step-son Timothy W. Byrd; by his two grandchildren, Alianna Jane Bessels and Jaxson Amadeus Bessels. Chuck was adopted, and also predeceased by his birth father, Wayne Maurice Hubbard, and survived by his birth mother, Linda (Mattice) Warner, along with many loving brothers, sisters and other family members from all sides of the families.

Chuck graduated high school from Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, he joined Westchester County REACT, a volunteer emergency services and communications organization. He went on to become president of this group, and over those years also volunteered with the American Red Cross in both disaster services and blood services.

Chuck joined the Harrison (NY) Volunteer Ambulance Corps in the mid-1980s. He became certified as a New York State Emergency Medical Technician in 1984, became an ambulance crew chief and lieutenant in Harrison and also worked as an EMT at several local commercial ambulance services. In the aftermath of the September 11 attack in New York City, Chuck was part of the joint Salvation Army/REACT response team, volunteering at various places near the devastated world trade center site providing aid and logistical support for several weeks. Following after, he became a licensed vascular ultrasound technician and remained a steadfast volunteer member of Harrison VAC and Westchester REACT until leaving New York in 2007. His final act of selfless service was caring for his parents, becoming their primary caregiver as each got sick and then passed within months of each other.

Chuck enjoyed the hobby of model railroading, both N-gauge and O-gauge. He was a member of the local model train clubs, assisting with construction and repairing trains and track, while maintaining his own personal layouts he created. All things Jeep were also a passion of Chuck’s, who was a large part of the Jeep community. He established his own jeep club, “7 Slot Jeepers-Carolinas”. He was knowledgeable about Jeeps of all models and ages, and was willing to share his knowledge, time, tools, and driveway with other jeepers who needed advice or assistance.

Those close to Chuck through the years will remember him through his personal passions: EMS, model railroads, Jeeps, family connections and friendships. Much of his legacy is the selfless service he provided…he saved lives and improved countless others. His years with us were cut short, yet his presence will resonate – always.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2022 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel.