Chuck Wafford Death Notice

[John Wright]

I just read a notice that Chuck Wafford died December 5, 2015 at the age of 89. Most WAGS members know of him only as Dave Smith's co-author on the BB and RB. Over much of his life he was perhaps the biggest dealer in cast iron cookware and probably handled more cast iron than any one person in history. He was never a collector. Before the advent of the internet and eBay he employed two men full-time just to clean and season cast iron. He was said to have had a vat of peanut oil boiling at all times to season the iron. He was widely known as "Cast Iron Charlie." He was also known by many as the "Silver Pup" (but not for the color of his hair). He was responsible for originating many of myths related to cast iron and has been frequently quoted as "they only made three of these and I have owned all four." He never owned a fake or reproduction but he sold quite a few. The Silver Pup was never a member of WAGS, but he played a role in its formation. I am sure he is now in a special place that has long been reserved for him.

John

[C. Perry Rapier]

Hello John. Thank you for posting this. I never knew or met the man but have talked to many collectors who did come to know him in one way or another. You did a very good job of saying this John. You put a few smiles on my face. Thank you. I hope you are doing well.  :)

[John Knapp]

Chuck did know his cast iron, but it was too bad he was such a BS artist, of course if it rewarded him the bigger the tale.

[Greg Stahl]

WOW, died beginning of December 2015 and we are just now finding out.  With the Internet and all, it's amazing what things don't get circulated.  John, you did a great job with the announcement and I had more than a few smiles reading it. 

[C. Perry Rapier]

I found out about Chucks passing from Marge and Larry O'Neil. They went to his funeral as I recall. And yes Chuck was a very 'colorful' character.  :)

[Harry Riva]

Greg I posted about Chuck's passing back on Jan 9th. in a post on the staff side.
Harry

[Brian Vick]

I heard about it right after it happened as he was in Eugene and I'm on the Southern Oregon Coast. He was a regular at the Piccadilly flea market in Eugene. I chose not to report it to our members as it might open old wounds. His kids or grandkids have taken up dealing his iron. John's narrative was right on though I referred to him as ''Gold Pup".
OB ;D

[Greg Stahl]

didn't see it.  with freemasonry, being a DDGM there, preparing to move to Fiji, selling our house, selling my cast iron, working and all the other things in life, I miss a lot I guess.

Greg I posted about Chuck's passing back on Jan 9th. in a post on the staff side.
Harry

[Larry Pesek]

didn't see it.  with freemasonry, being a DDGM there, preparing to move to Fiji, selling our house, selling my cast iron, working and all the other things in life, I miss a lot I guess.
[/glow]

Greg I posted about Chuck's passing back on Jan 9th. in a post on the staff side.
Harry

If it makes you feel any better Greg, I'm in the same boat... ::)  (Just now finding out about Chuck)

RIP Chuck...  I never had the chance to confer with the man and as history engulfs us all at some time, he is now part of it... :)