June 5, 2018
Charles Ernest “Chuck” McGregor grew up in the coastal village of Rowayton, CT. After attending and graduating from the Hotchkiss School, he entered Yale in the fall of 1962 and was a resident of Pierson College. A Psychology major, he was keenly interested in music and the arts; and he was a key part of the Pierson Dramat from 1964 through graduation. In particular, he possessed lighting and technical skills, and served as the Dramat’s Lighting and Technical Director.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served as Lead Radioman on the USS Gearing in the Mediterranean. For his exemplary communications work he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal in 1971. That led him to a career in the then developing field of audio design, in which he came to excel. He worked with symphony orchestras and theaters, conductors, musicians, and directors, across the country. These included Zubin Mehta and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at its outdoor venue, Ravinia; and the Vienna Opera House, the Cincinnati Riverfront Stadium, and many Broadway theaters and productions, including the Mexico City production of Evita.
Along the way he worked for and became an editor and technical writer for Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW), a manufacturer of professional audio reinforcement tools like loudspeakers, including the hardware and software that drives them. At EAW he was regarded by colleagues and co-workers as an outstanding teacher and mentor. “We did roadshows and seminars around the country. We spent time figuring out what was the best way to explain concepts, working up presentation materials, and all sorts of things. Chuck was just a great human being to spend time with. I never got tired of hanging with him.”
If sound was Chuck’s vocation, music was his avocation and passion. He began playing the bass as a child and by report became a remarkable player. He played both acoustic bass and a Fender and playing these was “his greatest joy in life.” After retirement he became involved with many musical groups, numerous musical productions, plus playing every Monday night at King Ro Market in Round Pond, ME. He loved music and contributed often to Great Salt Bay Community School orchestras, the Midwest Community Chorus, not to mention frequent jam sessions with fellow musicians and friends. As one friend remembered, “Chuck was a wonderful friend in the musical community and at Lincoln Academy. He was the anchor of many a concert and musical theater production.” Chuck himself especially recalled performances of Sunday in the Park with George and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
Chuck passed away at home, surrounded by family. He had a son, Sean, and a granddaughter, Tabitha, as well as a sister and sister-in-law and beloved companion Christiane, who survive him.
David Walker
Uldis Kruse remembers:
Chuck and I had a great senior year in our Pierson triple with Guy Heinemann. We were open with each other and shared everything. Chuck’s biggest influence on me was music. My tastes were standard and mainstream rock and pop, but he would put on classical symphonic music when we got back from Sterling at 11 PM. I didn’t have much feel for this at first and thought it annoying, but then Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto and Ormandy’s Philadelphia Symphony transported me to a new world. I thank Chuck for opening this door to me.