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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 2021)
PAGE A8, KEIZERTIMES, DECEMBER 24, 2021 2021, Continued from page A7 Wing calls it a career after 32 years at Gubser Wally Wing has spent the majority of his life in the gym. Whether it has been coaching or teaching physical education, Wing has been dedicated to imparting wisdom to youngsters for nearly four decades. But after 32 years as a physical educa- tion teacher at Gubser Elementary, Wing decided that it was time to enter the next phase of his life: retirement. “You know it’s time to retire when your old offi ce gets bricked in. Or when your ID number for (SKSD) is three digits when everyone else’s is seven or eight,” Wing said with a smile. Some people may get weary of work- ing in the same place for more than 30 years. But Wing couldn’t ever see himself at a diff erent spot. “Even though it’s the same school, it’s new kids every year, with new challenges. I always felt that the kids were the most important. It just seemed like when I went to look at other positions, high school or middle school, I could never fi nd what I thought was a better thing for me to do,” Wing said. Along with teaching, Wing also served as the primary assistant coach for the Willamette University men’s bas- ketball team, which was one of the most successful small-college programs in the Northwest during his tenure. Wing was a part of the Willamette coaching staff from 1987 to 2009 and helped coach the Bearcats to the NAIA National Championship in 1993 when Willamette achieved a 29-4 record. “(Wally) displayed a special talent in being able to connect with players of all ages. He was an excellent teacher of the game who stressed correct skill execu- tion. He taught the fundamentals of the game, but most importantly he taught the fundamentals of life,” said former Willamette head coach Gordie James. Chick-fi l-A gets council greenlight Construction of a Chick-fi l-A near Keizer Station moved one step closer to reality at a meeting of the Keizer City Council Monday, Feb. 1. Councilors approved changes to a master plan that removes a proposed auto lube business to accommodate additional parking for the fast food restaurant. “We’re super-excited to be part of the community and see this project get going,” said Steve Schwartz, develop- ment manager for the Atlanta-based chain. Asked by Mayor Cathy Clark what prompted the restaurant to choose Keizer, Schwartz said it was partly based on the success of locations in the Portland area. “Keizer had great commuting pat- terns and was very business friendly as well,” Schwartz said. He commended Shane Witham, Keizer’s interim commu- nity development director, in particular. The 128-seat location could create as many as 80-100 jobs for the area, Schwartz said. If things go according to plan, the Chick-fi l-A will be located in a space between Chemawa Road Northeast and Ulali Drive Northeast. The space is south of Keizer Station and will become the fi rst development in an area identifi ed as Chemawa Station. oopsy When It Does, Call Us 503.884.9681 happens Chuck Lee passes at 72 Charles E. (Chuck) Lee, a fi xture in Salem-Keizer education, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 4, at the age of 72. Lee, born May 18, 1949 in Seattle, served on the Salem-Keizer School Board and represented Keizer from 2007 to 2019. He was the founding president of Blanchet Catholic School in Salem from 1997 to 2013. Before relocating to Oregon he was an educator in Washington state where he was the youngest Catholic School princi- pal when he was hired at the age of 25. Lee served on the Keizer City Council from 2001 to 2007; he ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2006. In 2014 he helped found the Career Technical Education Center in Salem, a public-private project to prepare high school students for high-skill jobs. Lee served as president. Charles Lee is survived by his wife, Krina Lee. brainfood crossword answers pg A20