Students honor memory of security greeter Chuck Amerine
Security greeter Chuck Amerine was interviewed last year as part of the Echo in the Halls series. He was asked what fictional character he would choose to be. “If I could be any character I wanted to be, I would be Robin Hood because he was always outside and even if he stole, he stole from the rich and gave to the poor and made everyone happy as he could,” greeter Chuck Amerine said.
September 9, 2019
The following article was submitted by former Mountain Echo reporter Dionte Davis who is a 2019 graduate. Davis interviewed security greeter Chuck Amerine during his time as a reporter but the story was never published. Davis submitted the story as a tribute to Amerine.
High school faculty, staff and students mourned the loss of security greeter Chuck Amerine shortly after the school year ended. Plans are underway to sell bracelets to honor his life.
Amerine was a gentle, elegant, loving and caring man. The “Jolly Rancher Man,” if you will. A man who loved steak and who loved the color red.
Amerine was born right here in Altoona, PA. He had years of experience under his belt and had a few pieces of advice for students when former Mountain Echo reporter Dionte Davis sat down to interview him.
“I give the same advice to my own children, when kids stop here and ask, I say go to church pray, and tell your mother and father you love them every day,” Amerine said.
Before Amerine was a security greeter he worked at Butterick, a company that made clothing patterns, for forty years. He became a greeter through his son.
“My son worked here as a policeman and he suggested, ‘why don’t you come to high school; it’s a great place to work,” Amerine said.
What touched Amerine the most was each person who attended the high school. Whether it was a teacher, cafeteria worker, janitor, student or even another greeter when they smiled it made him happy because he loved each and every one of them.
“The friends that I’ve made here and the kids that I’ve met here are so much better than people know. They deserve a lot more credit than they get, a lot more,” Amerine said.
Amerine’s favorite part of the day was when those doors opened and a child walked through and looked him in the eye and said hello.
“The kid that comes up to me in the morning and says ‘hi,’ he doesn’t leave until I say it back, and that for me is amazing,” Amerine said as he began to cry.
After all was said and done Amerine had but one thing left to say.
“ I love it here,” Chuck cried.
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Miriam Clapper • Sep 19, 2019 at 5:37 am
Chuck was a kind hearted man and wonderful neighbor to my daughter and grandaughter who recently moved in next door to him. Chuck & his family always there with a friendly “hello, how was your day” I along with my other cafeteria workers will miss seeing him every morning. He was the bright sunshine that gave us a start to our day.
Carolyn Kline • Sep 13, 2019 at 7:14 pm
First of all- great article, Dionte! So proud of you! There will never be another like Chuck. His love for his family was evident on a daily basis, and he lived the golden rule daily. I never saw him without a smile on his face, and never heard him say a disparaging word about anyone. We were all privileged to have known him. He lives on through his wonderful family. #BelikeChuck#spreadkindness
PS- we’ll be sure to get his family some bracelets!
Marc Amerine • Sep 13, 2019 at 1:05 pm
That was My Dad Those Words Said in the Article.. An He Loved it there& He loved those Kids Teachers & Fellow Workers…I Loved Him he was My Hero..
Lisa Dietzel • Sep 13, 2019 at 1:05 pm
I enjoyed reading this article so much , Chuck was my Dad and everything that was said is so true . Working as a greeter was the best thing he’d ever done in his life. He enjoyed the experience so much! I hope I can purchase a few bracelets.
Debbie Brantner • Sep 13, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Chuck was a wonderful man! He will always be loved and missed by many people❤️
Katelin Brown • Sep 13, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Chuck was a very special gentleman in my heart he always knew how to put a smile on your face and made sure that I pushed my self to succeed my senior year he always had the right things to say even on the bad days when you’d walk away you always had a smile on your face not a day goes by where he’s never on my mind may u rest in piece jolly rancher man! ❤️
Jared gore • Sep 13, 2019 at 11:40 am
Crazy my mans Chuck is gone . Gone but never will be forgotten . Long live Chuck the Jolley Rancher guy !