Charles Dare's columns focused on the good

Third-generation newspaperman Charles Dare of Elk River, who was known for his column, "Free Air from Chuck Dare," liked to write about Elk River's people and their ways.

As a journalist, he liked to show the better parts of the community and the better side of people, said Elk River Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, who once worked for him as a reporter at the Sherburne County Star News.

"He would write about the man in the street, and what's going on at downtown businesses and organizations," said Klinzing. "He loved the community."

Dare, whose family owned the old Sherburne County Star News for 102 years, and who almost became an automobile mechanic, died of complications from cancer Dec. 15 in Monticello.

He was 86.

After graduating from Elk River High School, he studied at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis to become a mechanic, because he was fascinated by cars, said his family.

After serving on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific during World War II, he earned a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota in 1950.

He worked a brief stint at a newspaper in Iowa before joining his father, Laurence, at the Star News.

A broken-down press didn't bother the trained mechanic.

"He enjoyed fixing the press," said his sister, Donna Wiethoff of Plymouth.

As children they were scared of a particular law enforcement officer, for one reason or another.

The fellow was, in fact, a beloved pillar of the community, and after he died, Dare told the story in a column of his and his sister's unfounded fear, plus the officer's positive contributions in Sherburne County.

He was supportive of his niece, Ann Hafften of Weatherford, Texas, when she studied journalism.

"He was the fun uncle you wanted to sit next to at Thanksgiving," said his niece.

"He gave me my first camera," she said. "He was always eager to read my work."

Dare was a former president of his Rotary Club in Elk River and was active in the American Legion. He was a devoted member of the Elk River Baptist Church, said his niece.

His grandfather, Arthur Dare, who founded the Star News, served as Speaker of the Minnesota House at the end of the 1800s.

In 1982, Charles Dare sold the newspaper and retired.

A train watcher, Dare had covered several train wrecks when he was a newsman. In retirement, he enjoyed watching trains.

His wife, Sally, died earlier this year.

In addition to his sister, he is survived by his daughter, Jenny Sue Kotaska of Champlin, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Central Lutheran Church, 1103 School St., Elk River.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. in the church.