Charles William Cape

Charles William Cape was born May 3, 1949 in Laramie, Wyoming, to Merceda (Patton) and William Cape. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, in the shadow of the University of Kansas, where his father was a professor of political science.

Charlie had an idyllic childhood. His family journeyed frequently across the U.S., engendering his love for camping and travel. In his lifetime, Charlie visited all 50 U.S. states. He played baritone and was the drum major for the Lawrence High School band. He was also a proud Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow.

Charlie attended the University of Kansas, majoring in journalism. He was part of the editorial staff of the University Daily Kansan during his time on campus, and moonlighted as a sports color commentator for KLWN radio. He was pleased to announce KU’s 1969 Orange Bowl appearance.

He met his wife of 52 years, Linda (Hayne), during her first week of college. On their first date, he made her a steak dinner and took her out to the Red Dog Inn for beers. They were married a year later.

Charlie was drafted into the Kansas Army National Guard during his senior year. He was injured during basic training and honorably discharged. Charlie and Linda moved to Manchester, MO in 1976. He earned his master’s in marketing from Webster University and held roles in journalism, marketing, and public relations at various companies. He found his true calling, however, when the family moved to Mundelein, IL, where he tried his hand at teaching. He taught at the College of Lake County and worked as a substitute at local schools before joining the Language Arts faculty at Mundelein High School in 1998.

Charlie loved and was beloved by his students and enjoyed minor celebrity status whenever he ventured to the local grocery store. He taught hundreds of students over his 13 years and could remember the name of each one. He was frequently nominated by the student body to partake in humorous exhibitions (kissing a pig, shaving his head) and also more meaningful ones (reading names at commencement). He was recognized for his accomplishments with an honorable mention for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Leadership. Charlie was also the “Voice of Mundelein” for many years, announcing MHS football and soccer games from the press box, and MC’ing other MHS events, such as the Mundelein Show Choir Invitational.

The only thing surpassing his love for teaching was his love for his family. As a child, he told his mom that what he really wanted in life was to be a dad. Charlie was an incredible father. He loved all the things his kids loved and was an ever-present fan and occasional coach for soccer, football, show choir, pom, and swimming. He was also delighted to chaperone many prom and homecoming dances.

Charlie was a consummate prankster and joke teller. He taught each of his kids at an early age the punchline to one of his favorite jokes – How do you call a deaf duck? “HEY DEAF DUCK!” His favorite jokes became well-known since they were recycled on a semi-annual schedule.

He got great pleasure out of simple pleasures: lounging beside the pool with a John Grisham novel, watching KU Jayhawk sports, taking nightly hours-long walks with his beloved dog Kip, listening to the Beatles and the Beach Boys, collecting model cars, and sneaking Butterfingers.

Charlie died on October 3, 2023, in Sarasota, FL from Alzheimer’s Disease. The last 12 years of his life were challenging. His cognitive decline forced his early retirement from teaching and precluded many adventures we know he’d love to have had. We’re comforted knowing that he left others with so many beautiful memories, even as his own faded. He was surrounded by his wife, children, sister, and friends during his final days.

When he was younger, Charlie drafted a novel he never published. The title is a fitting motto for how he lived life and would want to be remembered: Still Time To Laugh.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Elizabeth, John (Meg), and Patrick (Cydney); his grandchildren, Andrew, Liliana, Charles, Oliver, Sullivan, and Ayla; his sister, Evelyn; many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and innumerable friends.

The family encourages friends who wish to honor Charlie’s memory to donate to the Northwestern University Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Disease Alzheimer’s Research and Education Fund at https://tinyurl.com/charliedonations Charlie was a longtime participant in a research study there to learn more about dementia in hope of improving diagnosis, care and prevention for others.