Chuck Hand 1943-2018

[Thomas Lapsley]

I am sad to announce that Lincoln scholar Chuck Hand has passed away on October 10 at the age of 75.

[RJNorton]

I was very sad to read this. Chuck was a member here, and I think several forum members knew him. Chuck was one of America's leading book dealers specializing in Lincoln books and collectible memorabilia. He had a website here. Chuck will be greatly missed.

Here is Chuck talking to a group of middle school students in Mattoon, Illinois, in 2012:

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews....image.jpg

[Gene C]

Sorry to hear about this.
Chuck joined us on our second Springfield tour.
He had many interesting stories, was generous. Let me borrow a book about Oak Ridge Cemetery when he couldn't join us for that part of our visit. He helped get us get a behind the scenes look at Lincoln's home.
I have a nice memory of Chuck.

http://www.prairiepress.net/stories/obit...-home,7964

[RJNorton]

Joe Di Cola had shoulder replacement surgery and has difficulty posting. He sent me this voice-to text message and asked me to post it.

"I am saddened to learn of Chuck Hand’s death. I was hoping that sometime I could connect again with him on a trip to Springfield. Because of Chuck we got to see things that others don’t on one of our trips. He had many interesting things to share with our group."

Joe also sent this link to Chuck's obituary, Paris, Illinois - Templeton Funeral Homes

http://www.templetonfuneralhome.com/obit...is/1817761

[Rob Wick]

Although I never had the privilege of meeting Chuck in person, we did correspond a number of times. Usually it was when I was trying to find a book on Lincoln for my library. Chuck and I became acquainted on the old Abraham Lincoln Online (I really do miss that forum). We discovered we had two things in common. First, we both had a deep and abiding love of the study of Lincoln's life and second, we both were graduates of Eastern Illinois University, although a good 20-plus years separated us. Chuck was not only an educator in the traditional sense of the classroom, but he educated the general public on the life of Lincoln through his bookstore. I had a standing invitation to stop by and look if I ever got to Paris. My only regret is that I never had the opportunity to take him up on it. This is terrible news, and my deepest sympathies go out to Chuck's family.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Never met him but knew of him. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends...

[L Verge]

Like everyone else who knew Chuck, I am deeply sorry for his passing. He had visited Surratt House several times while on trips to D.C. and was a member of the Surratt Society. We had bought things from him, and he reciprocated with purchases from our gift shop. I also liked to chat with him when we both would attend The Lincoln Forum conferences in Gettysburg. It saddens me to see one of the good ones go before we are ready to release them...

[Donna McCreary]

I am so sorry to learn about Chuck's passing. He and I crossed paths a few times along the Lincoln trail. I always enjoyed our conversations. It is indeed sad to see "the good ones go before we are ready to release them . . . "