Charles W. Croasdill, U.S. Army

In May 2015, Helen Croasdill Monfort posted this photo of her father, Charles W. Croasdill, on Facebook. She said it was taken while he served in the U.S. Army. He was drafted after earning a degree in education from the University of Washington and teaching in eastern Washington in Wallula, Wash., near the Washington-Oregon border, the "Army sent him to the Aleutian Islands and he was trained as a radio operator," she said. "There was a very small base and because of the brutal weather, not much to do.  The Army supplied the men with cigarettes and playing cards.  He smoked until the day he passed away of a stroke at age 80.  As many of you know, he was a much-loved man and educator.  He was a great father."

Coffee, contemplation crown Croasdill’s career

Thanks to Tom Tomasek for this article about Charles Croasdill. Appearing in the Oct. 20, 1978, Lakes Ledger, it’s based on an interview Tom and photographer Mike Larson had with Mr. Croasdill. Note that while Mr. Croasdill retired from teaching at Lakes and Clover Park in 1978, he went on to teach seven years, 1979-1986, at Fort Steilacoom Community College which today is called Pierce College.

Coffee, contemplation crown Croasdill’s career

 

Story by Tom Tomasek

Photo by Mike Larson

Clad in a blue shirt, gray sweater and checkered pants, Mr. Charles Croasdill entered the Clover Park Pharmacy, a place where he has occupied a seat for 17 years. He sat down, and the waitress placed a steaming cup of coffee before him.

CHARLES CROASDILL, retired teacher, is little different from Charles Croasdill, teacher. Asked what he has been doing since retiring, he responded, “I am the ultimate hedonist,” When this reporter asked what hedonist meant, Croasdill replied, “Get a dictionary and look it up.”

Of his activities in retirement, he said, “I play golf quite often, I bowl once a week, and I do quite a bit of reading,” Croasdill stated. “I’m ready for John Bodenhammer and Chris Lucey if they are ready.”

Croasdill is still teaching, if only on a part-time basis. Recently he substituted for Mrs. Dona Everett’s classes. During his years as a Lakes teacher, Croasdill earned renown for his writing assignments, and, though a substitute he was true to his reputation. 

ABOUT THE DAY he substituted at Lakes, Croasdill said, and “I was grateful for the reception I received.” He said that, due to sentimental reasons, he has not returned to the room where he taught for several years at Lakes. “I was going to go by, but I couldn’t do it,” he said.

Does he miss Lakes? “Yes, I missed being in the classroom,” Croasdill responded. “I miss the essays on the side board. I would occasionally make a grammatical error and hope some bright student would notice. I miss walking around the classroom and looking over students’ shoulders and catching mistakes. I also miss the class discussions,” he continued.

“One of the primary reasons I retired was due to my health,” Croasdill states. “I couldn’t hear what some students would say, and it was pretty embarrassing. I do miss the students, and I hope I am invited to commencement exercises," he continued. “I would like to see this year’s senior class graduate.”

ALTHOUGH CROASDILL does miss teaching, he pointed out the advantages of retirement. “I can now roar out of bed at 9 in the morning,” he said. “I no longer worry on Sunday nights trying to plan something for Monday.”

Reflecting on his teaching career, Croasdill said, “I know I must have hurt some students, but I think I did more good than harm.”

FUTURE PLANS for Croasdill include a cruise to Australia in January. He also is interested in attending Pacific Lutheran University or the University of Puget Sound to study such courses as geography or archaeology.

Speaking about college he commented, “If a student can, he should attend college. Fewer and fewer people are attending college, but for an overall education I feel college is very important.”

With that last bit of advice and an empty coffee cup, Croasdill departed to check on the fortunes of the Washington Huskies. 

Though he has retired, Croasdill is far from forgotten by those who applied pen to paper in his classes.

“I THINK he was the best English teacher I ever had. He was an island entire of himself. I wish he was back this year to teach,” states Cathy Smith, senior.

Senior Sue Silvey said, “He was an excellent teacher, and the fact that he had to retire was sad.”

“I was very disappointed to see him retire, because he played a major role in furthering my education as well as others,” commented Jim Jornlin, senior.

John Heussman, senior, states, “His standards made me push harder. His teaching qualities are rare. It’s a shame to see him retire.”