Charles William Protasio

Charles (Chuck) Protasio passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home on March 9, 2023. He was born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania as the eldest son of William Protasio and Dorothy (Walters) Protasio.

Chuck was an ordinary man, who loved his family, country, and believed in a merciful God. As a child, his favorite memories were the weekly Sunday get togethers at his grandmother/Stack family home following morning Mass. A parade of aunts, uncles, and cousins would filter through with good food, lively discussions, humorous jokes, and a genuine feeling of family love prevailed. Chuck’s family instilled within him the character traits that shaped his life – a love of family and country, the importance of an education, respect for the dignity of others and the work that they do, a strong work ethic, high standards, and seizing the opportunities to improve oneself.

Chuck graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1974.  He was part of Company H-1 (Hawgs). His classmates made his West Point days memorable and created a support system for the rest of his life. After graduating USMA, he continued to serve his country for 20 years.

While in the Army, Chuck served in the Field Artillery, was on General Staff, was an Assistant Project Manager for a large Corps of Engineer project and retired in 1994 as head of the ROTC program at Michigan State University with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His favorite assignment was in Augsburg, Germany, where he met his best friends, Ben and Anna. He also obtained a graduate Business Administration degree from Boston University and a graduate degree in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) while serving in the Army.

Chuck met his wife, Patricia, at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1986.  They married in April 1988 and shared almost 35 years of love together. Pat was Chuck’s “Angel on Earth” who gave him the blessings of being part of a real family and every day made him a better man. He was blessed with three daughters, three son-in-laws, and six grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family.

After military retirement, Chuck embarked on a 24-year career with the Kansas Department of Transportation, primarily as a Civil Engineer. For the last 14 years of his career, he was a member of the Bureau of Program and Project Management. He enjoyed working with his work-family, a small but important group of professional, talented, and dedicated people who truly focused on KDOT’s mission.

Chuck loved traveling with his family. He loved exploring new places with Pat. They would often take day trips around the country and have wonderful vacations. Two of his favorite memories were landing in an airplane and walking on a glacier near Mt. Denali, as well as taking his family to Hawaii.

He began running at the age of 64. Chuck became a member of the Lawrence Trail Hawks and ran both paved and trail running events. He completed numerous 5Ks, two Kansas Half-Marathons, and The Hawk Trail Marathon. He assisted in numerous fun runs and races for Garry Gribbles Running Sports.

Chuck is survived by his wife Patricia Protasio; his brothers James Protasio (Debra) of Williamsport and John Protasio (Stow, Ohio); daughter Sheena Shearburn (Tylor) and their three children Margo, Daphne and Miles; daughter Chelsea Baker (Alex) and their two children Connor and Odessa; and Kara Baden (Josh) and their son Flynn. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Marie Protasio.

There will be no public viewing of the body.  His remains will be cremated.  A funeral/memorial mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 22, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the American Cancer Societ y and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Chuck had a good life, blessed with a loving family and filled with wonderful memories to treasure. Special thanks to all the people at DaVita and LMH Oncology for all their care during the last three years as Chuck battled multiple myeloma.