Aug. 29, 1946 - June 5, 2022 Walnut Creek Chuck Decker, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at home in Walnut Creek at the age of 75.

Chuck was born in Rockford, Illinois to Taylor and Margaret Decker. As a boy, he could be found making mischief with his sister, collecting stamps and coins, and digging for treasure behind his grandfather’s garage. He adored his parents and tried to follow their examples throughout his life.

He earned a swimming scholarship to Iowa State University where he majored in Chemistry and Zoology and went on to earn an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Executive Program. Chuck worked in environmental pollution control and water treatment – a career that would span 50 years. He met Joyce on a ski trip to Colorado. They married and had three children. The family left the Chicago area and relocated to Danville, California in 1984 where he owned and operated Ryan Process Inc.

He retired and moved to Rossmoor with Joyce in 2018 where he quickly made friends.

Chuck was an avid soccer fan and volunteered as a state-level referee for over 12 years. He cheered for the Bears and the Cubs, loved traveling, the outdoors, seafood, wine, pickleball, dogs, telling (sometimes tall) tales, and spending time with his family. He loved life and preferred to be on the go in pursuit of the next adventure.

Chuck is survived by his wife Joyce of 51 years, his sister, Barbara Lafayette, his son Andy Decker (Karen), daughter Heather White (David), grandchildren Madison, Clayton, and Jack, and many nieces and nephews in the Decker and Armalis families. In addition to his parents, Chuck is preceded in death by his beloved son, Matthew.

In lieu of flowers, donations are greeted with heartfelt appreciation to the Matthew Charles Decker Memorial Environmental Scholarship. Chuck and Joyce created this scholarship in their son’s honor, which helps subsidize the cost of a college student’s wilderness field study – a transformative experience that captures both Chuck and Matthew’s love of nature and environmental conservation.

You can donate online at https://giving.ucsb.edu/to/decker-memorial-scholarship.

Friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on July 15 at 5 pm – Stanley Dollar Clubhouse in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek.