Charles Edward Schrader

Charles “Chuck” Edward Schrader, 87, of Waterloo, died Wednesday, July 8, 2026, while a patient at UnityPoint Allen Hospital, following a short illness. He was born on July 14, 1938, in Rochester, NY, the son of Frank Schrader and Annabelle Espey Schrader. Chuck served in the US Air Force from 1957-1961 as a dental technician at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. While at the academy, Chuck met Sue Raecker and the couple married on April 9, 1960. They later divorced. Chuck worked at St Francis Hospital where he taught Xray technology when the radiology technical school opened in 1967. At that time, he wrote the curriculum for the school, taught anatomy and physiology, and worked there for many years until leaving to begin selling radiology equipment for Siemens Imaging Systems.

Chuck was a man who enjoyed staying busy and who loved meeting people, especially people he already knew that he saw in various parts of the world. He valued time with his children. Chuck drove for DoorDash until recently because he enjoyed meeting the people he delivered to and loved having weekly breakfasts at McDonald’s where he would catch up on the news. He was a lot of fun to be around, was always telling jokes, and specialized in “dad jokes.” A man of many talents, Chuck liked boating, especially racing sailboats or just relaxing with the sailboat at Clear Lake, and waterskiing at Holiday Lake. He piloted hot air balloons and was instrumental in bringing the My Waterloo Days Balloon Rally to Waterloo and attended the National Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM. While in high school, Chuck played baseball and that love of baseball carried with him for life. He was a baseball trivia expert and especially loved the Chicago Cubs.

Chuck is survived by his children, Eric (Jeanette) Schrader of Des Moines, Craig Schrader of Waterloo, and Diane (Aaron) Meyer of Waterloo; grandson Matthew (Ashley) Schrader, and their daughter Abigail; sister Patricia Cochrane of Henrietta, NY; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Danielle Schrader-Bernabe.

A memorial service with military honors for Chuck will be Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 2:00 pm, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Visitation will be from noon until service time also on Sunday. Inurnment at Waterloo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Americans for Independent Living (AFIL), 4020 University Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.