Charles C. Rencurrel

Charles "Chuck" Rencurrel, President and Founder of Kalamazoo Packing Systems passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 26th at the age of 81.  He was pre deceased by his parents Hamilton Brewer Rencurrel and Mildred Blair Rencurrel and two older brothers Robert and Richard.  He is survived by his wife Penny of fifty ones years of marriage, daughter Karen Lynn, son in-law Jonathan, two grandchildren Connor and Leah, brother Ronald and his wife Evelyn, sister in-law Dorothy Rencurrel, sister in-law Barbara Rencurrel, and many nieces and nephews.  

Chuck grew up in the Boston area and played football for Situate High School and for St Lawrence University in Canton, NY.  He was a noted field goal kicker and offensive lineman.  He kicked a field goal against the Army B Team to end a long losing streak for St Lawrence University.  In addition to football Chuck also played hockey recreationally for his fraternity Alpha Tau Omega.  Chuck started to get involved in flying model air planes and racing soap box derby cars as a pre-teen.  This interest grew on to outboard racing boats (APBA) and go carts.  His father thought “This is just a phase that he would grow out of”, but it continued throughout his life….snowmobiles, slot cars, Mini Indy, USAC Midgets, and radio controlled cars and airplanes.  

After graduating from college, Chuck served four years in the US Air Force as an officer in the Air Material Command at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH.  During his commission he received the prestigious Air Force Commendation Medal.  His time in Dayton moved his interest to the Midwest and away from Boston. While in the service he spent time coaching and reffing youth hockey.  After leaving the Air Force he moved to Detroit to take on a position with General Electric.  Shortly after arriving in Detroit he married Penny. He worked at General Electric for approximately two years.  During his time in Detroit he coached a successful youth hockey team traveling all over the Midwest.  He then formed his own business, Kalamazoo Engineering, producing racing parts for snowmobiles. The most famous of snowmobile parts was known as “The Klaw”.  Keep Klawing was a famous saying among the racers.  Later this business was sold and Kalamazoo Packing Systems was formed.  Chuck decided to broaden his education.  He traveled back and forth to Boston where he attended and graduated from Harvard University with a Master’s in Entrepreneurial Business Administration. The new company, Kalamazoo Packaging Systems, manufactures window wrapping machines for about forty percent of the window production in United States.

One of his most favorite activities was following his grandchildren, Connor and Leah, as they played soccer and volleyball.  

Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of Chuck’s life at the Watermark Country Club on October 13th from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.  Chuck will be laid to rest at the Dayton National Cemetery next to Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH in a private ceremony at a later date.  

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