Charles Arthur Krouse

Charles Arthur “Chuck” Krouse, 96, passed away Aug. 29 at The Virginian retirement home in Fairfax, Va.

A longtime resident of neighboring Vienna, he lived a productive and fulfilling life right up to the end, never losing the curious nature and generous spirit that defined him.

Born Oct. 26, 1928, in Chicago, Ill., to Arthur Krouse and Anna (Petrick) Krouse, Chuck would later be joined by a brother, Roland, and sister, Barbara.

Prior to the outbreak of World War II, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they lived briefly before settling on the family farm in nearby Toddville.

It was an abrupt change for Chuck, who considered himself a city kid. Their home had no plumbing or electricity. The family didn’t own a tractor, so they farmed with horses. Cows had to be milked morning and night.

But Chuck learned how to persevere. He viewed the world through the lens of an optimist, bolstered by his Christian faith. His playful sense of humor helped him make friends wherever he went.

His world expanded after enrolling at the University of Iowa, where he majored in journalism. He became a highly regarded reporter with United Press, before it merged with International News Service to become UPI.

During that time, he met Mary Lou Ulstad of Fort Dodge, Iowa. They were married in 1954 and remained so until Mary Lou passed away in 2017. They raised three devoted sons.

Chuck was not afraid to take chances in life and when he did, he didn’t look back. After a short but noteworthy career in journalism, he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to serve in its Foreign Broadcast Information Service. His duties included tracking some of the world’s Earth-shaking events at the time, including the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The CIA took Chuck and his family to England and then Northern California before returning them to Northern Virginia in 1964. After leaving the agency, he went to work for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and then the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, before landing on Capitol Hill as staff for the House Committee on Transportation and Public Works. The job offered daily insights into the politics of Washington.

But family was always his priority, and he was active in his children’s lives. Chuck coached Little League baseball, leading a team that included all three sons to a championship, and served as leader of a local Cub Scout pack. But most importantly, he and Mary Lou instilled a strong sense of honesty and compassion in all three boys.

A life-long learner, Chuck especially enjoyed reading about religion and philosophy, which helped shape his approach to life. He and Mary Lou were longtime active members of Wesley United Methodist Church.

After retirement, Chuck never slowed down. He played golf and made great friends at Westwood Country Club, but he also donated much of his time to helping others. He volunteered with the Offender Aid and Restoration service, working with Fairfax County inmates during and after their incarceration. He also served on the national board of Heifer Project International, which helps rural communities in undeveloped countries improve the health and productivity of their livestock.

Chuck was an astute observer of life. But his most endearing quality was his ceaseless consideration for others. He was constantly giving, especially to his family, but also to the community. After going to live at The Virginian at age 91, he served as president of the resident association and helped raise money to provide workers there with holiday bonuses.

Chuck is survived by his sons Matthew, Timothy and Peter, daughters-in-law Chris (Reiter) Krouse and Elizabeth (Nelson) Krouse, and grandchildren Anna, Maria and Andrew.

A funeral service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna at 11 a.m. Sept. 5, with visitation at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 4. A private burial will be held at Fairfax Memorial Park on Sept. 8. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to a charity of choice.