Mundale, Charles I. Charlie Mundale said, "I never had a career; I had lots of adventures." When he died Dec. 30, those adventures added up to 90 years of travel, creativity and bonhomie. Charlie was a craftsman of wood and the word; a journalist, academic, polyglot and raconteur. He was born in Frost and grew up in southern Minnesota. Trained as a Russian translator for the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Charlie's formal education culminated with a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. He continued to learn tirelessly and enthusiastically... from his students at Mankato State University to the business leaders he covered as publisher of Corporate Report Minnesota and the bridge-builders with whom he worked at the World Press Institute and the Center for Corporate Responsibility. He moved through the world with wit and grace, charming Fortune 500 CEOs and northern Wisconsin bartenders alike. Charlie is survived by his cherished wife Susan; son Peter (Pam); daughter Ann; step-children Clifford Jones (Kathy), Mary Jones (Dominic Papatola), Helen Butler (Kip); nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13 at Lakewood Memorial Chapel (3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis) with visitation 45 minutes prior. Memorials preferred to the University of Minnesota's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute or the Democratic presidential campaign of your choice.

Published on January 5, 2020