Chuck Ermatinger

“Shortwave radio isn’t as widely used as it used to be, but I’m sticking with it till the end!”

Charles “Chuck” Ermatinger greets each day with a sense of excitement. “I look forward to waking up in the morning. To me that says a lot,” he says, reflecting on his daily enthusiasm for life.

His passion for technology is at the core of his active life. He has a lifelong love of technology, from radio and electronics to new and emerging tools.

From boyhood, he has been fascinated by shortwave radio in particular. It is a popular hobby among amateur radio operators, who use it to communicate with other enthusiasts around the world. Shortwave radio offers a unique perspective that can’t be found in other forms of media. Once he tuned is as boy he was struck by the access to a whole world of information and connection.

He spends hours each day exploring the world by tuning into shortwave stations from across the globe. “Shortwave radio isn’t as widely used as it used to be, but I’m sticking with it till the end!” he shares. His enthusiasm for music of all types keeps him seeking out new forms from many cultures.

Access to technology has been a great source of joy. One of Chuck’s favorite recent experiences has been the opportunity to engage with virtual reality technology. A few times each month, Chuck and his neighbors at an EverTrue Affordable Housing Community use Virtual Reality goggles to visit faraway places. “I’ve been to Singapore, Australia, Finland, Italy and France,” he says. “It’s as fun watching other people use them as it is using them myself. Everyone gets immersed in it!”

Chuck exemplifies the power of living life according to him. “It’s easy to fit in here,” he says, clearly content in his community. “I’m very happy. I’ve never had more friends!”