Charles “Chip” Waddell Cartwright Jr, (74) firstborn son of Charles Waddell and Dorothy Shields Cartwright of Petersburg, VA, passed away at high noon on Friday, February 3rd, 2023.

With the heart of a dreaming cowboy, nothing gave Chip more joy than traveling by RV and visiting friends and family with his beloved wife Daisy, spending time with and cooking “SOS” for his grandboys and sharing his pride in the accomplishments of his two children and son-in-law.

Chip’s upbeat personality and outgoing nature gave him friends wherever he went. He was predictably first to introduce himself to neighbors and other new faces. On RV trips, he would go on a “quick” walk of the campground and come back a couple of hours later with reports of other families he’d met, or a noteworthy neighbor’s trailer – he’d already been inside. 

He taught his children that with hard work and determination, a person can do just about anything they set their mind to. He was living proof of this.  As a young boy growing up in Petersburg, VA, he watched episodes of Lassie on TV in which Lassie was rescued from a forest fire by a Forest Ranger. After seeing all of the activities in that position, Chip knew his career goal: becoming a Forest Ranger.  He went on to become the first person in his family to attend university, among many other accomplishments.  The life he lived was a first-hand example for his kids to never be afraid to set big goals and go out and make them happen.

Chip was a huge supporter of educational growth and service. He received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech. He then served the US Air Force as 1st Lieutenant and Titan II Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army War College with special commendations from the War College Commandant.

Chip proudly made his career with the US Forest Service. He protected the natural wonders of this great nation, all the while making history: becoming the first African American in a series of levels: District Ranger in 1979, Forest Supervisor in 1988, and Regional Forester in 1994 – where he was responsible for nearly 21 million acres of land in the Southwestern United States.  In his retirement years, he portrayed living history figures in educational demonstrations for both the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Cross Ranch State Park in North Dakota.

Tradition and the creation of personal memories was so important to him, especially after retirement. He and his wife Daisy met on the dance floor of his 40-year Class Reunion (Virginia Tech’s Class of 1970) and they carried the motion of that dance into their daily life, traveling with their truck camper 135,642 miles in 49 states, 10 Canadian provinces and territories, and 3 Mexican states.  They made each journey more important than the destination by visiting friends along the way. The two shared their time between their summer and winter homes, one overlooking Table Rock Lake in Eureka Springs, AR and the other within a friendly community in Edcouch, TX.  Yearly fall trips to Chip’s Alma Mater, where Daisy had also been a professor, provided the enjoyment of football games and connection to a place special to both of them.  They were honored that Chip was chosen in 2020 as the recipient of Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) award.

Chip had a servant’s heart and could always be found lending a hand at church, the local scout group, in a neighbor’s yard, or fixing a meal to share.  Always smiling, often humming or flat out singing, ever ready to sport his own fashion trend, lover of his instant pot and grill, protector of forests, a friend to all… Chip stood out from the crowd and will not be easily forgotten.

Chip’s memories will be carried on by his wife, Daisy Cartwright; his children, Shannon Miskowski (Matthew) and Michael Cartwright and their mother Valorie Cartwright; Chip’s grandboys Josiah, Levi, and Micah; Chip’s younger siblings: Bruce, Kaye, Pam, Debbie, Mark, and Angel and their spouses, as well as nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 am at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church on 1317 South Pleasant Valley Road in Winchester, VA., on Monday, February 20, 2023, with Rev Dr. Gilbert M. Mack, Jr. officiating. Keith L. Parham, Senior Minister of First Baptist Church in Hockley, VA., will bring the eulogy.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am at the church on Monday February 20, 2023.

Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1970 Emerging Leadership Scholarship.  Checks should be made out to the Virginia Tech Foundation and in the memo line add the fund number and name ”884517, in memory of Charles Cartwright”. Checks can be mailed to University Gateway Center. Attention” Scott Lyman, 902 Prices Fork Rd. Blacksburg, VA 24061