Remembering Chuck Walters

The year was 1992. I was sitting in Dr. Mac’s office receiving a Chelation Therapy treatment and looked up to see an older gentleman being led into the room, barely able to walk, just a slow shuffle of the feet. I felt pity in my spirit for the old fellow.

He took a seat beside me. When the chelation was hooked and flowing, the old gentleman turned to me and said, “Can I record this interview?” I was totally caught off guard. I did not know what he had in mind.

One week earlier, the Dr. Mac and I had been sharing experiences with an emphasis on the more interesting occasions in our careers. The doctor said to me, “I have an old friend I would like for you to meet”. I responded, “Sure!”

I would never have guessed the old friend he was speaking of was the founder and editor of the international publication ACRES U.S.A. This publication is all about growing quality, healthy food, and the issues that concern the family farm and even prevent the sustainable production of wholesome food.

I had been reading ACRES USA paper for a number of years. In my mind Charles Walters was some wealthy, intelligent man sitting in a secluded office somewhere in a high-rise building - not a person who was interested in someone like me, or the value of my accumulated years of “dirt-level” practical farming experience. I never imagined or even considered the possibility of one day meeting and becoming friends with a man of his status.

I had no idea why Mr. Walters wanted to record our conversation, so my immediate response to him was, “Why, what is the purpose for this?” He answered that Dr Mac told him of an old friend that he should meet.

We were in an area with about 25 other people so I suggested we find a more private room and talk there. The head nurse took us to Dr Mac’s office. We were only there for ten minutes when the doctor came in. The three of us sat and talked for what must have been 3 or 4 hours. The nurse popped in every ten minutes telling Dr. Mac that patients were waiting. He didn’t seem to care. That day was most enjoyable for me and at the end of the interview Chuck Walters asked me to come to his office so that we could continue our dialogue.

That first interview culminated in my being the featured interview in the next issue of ACRES U.S.A. Chuck invited me to speak at their next annual conference. I guess he was intrigued by what I knew and had to offer. He said to me, “Gearld I will make you famous”. It turned out he was already envisioning a joint project, a book we called “Reproduction and Animal Health”.

Chuck was legally blind and could not drive. I would pick him up at his home or office and we traveled to farms, field days, and sales. I sat alongside him as he interviewed other subjects for future articles. And thanks to his support I became a regular speaker at the annual ACRES USA conferences.

That first interview was the beginning of a long friendship. Knowing Chuck and the many people he introduced me to, exposed me to a level of knowledge, understanding, and experience that is just phenomenal. What we all had in common was an interest in the health and well being of America and her people.

Chuck introduced me to the world of out-of-the-box thinking. He challenged me in ways that literally upset my belief in what until then had been the industrial ag paradigm. Charles Walters was a champion for the natural agricultural community. Like so many thousands, I will miss my friendship with Chuck Walters. My condolences are extended to Miss Ann and the family.