In Loving Memory Of Charles E. “Chuck” Trotter

Charles E. “Chuck” Trotter, all-breed judge, loving husband, proud father, and friend of dogs, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 4 with his wife Pat and son Chuck Jr. at his side. Born April 14, 1933, in Nashville Tenn., he celebrated his 90th birthday recently with his and late friend Dottie Macdonald’s favorite vegetable – carrot cake!

Chuck began his dog-showing career in his home state of Tennessee in 1958 with Afghan Hounds and later German Shepherd Dogs. His homebred Afghans were specialty winners and group winners before he became an all-breed professional handler and concentrated on the dogs of others. He was the zone representative for the Professional Handlers Association of America prior to his retirement from handling in 1979 when he began his judging career. Exhibitors appreciated his kind hands with their dogs, his quiet sense of humor and his Southern gentleman presence.

Judging assignments took Chuck to six continents and all 50 American states. He judged numerous times at the Westminster Kennel Club, including the 2013 Herding Group and the 1997 Working Group, as well as at Morris & Essex, AKC’s National Championship and the Chicago International. His last judging assignment was in November of 2021 when he judged the Sussex Spaniel National in Salisbury, Md.

Well-known for his knowledge of canine movement and anatomical structure, Trotter credited his background in German Shepherd Dogs and Afghans with his theories of proper conformation. Trotter’s knowledge and appreciation of correct front-end assembly was legendary.

Chuck’s wife Pat credits his passion for judging dogs with sparking her own career as a renowned all-breed judge. “I never planned on being a judge at all,” she said in a 2005 Dog In Review interview, “Until I met Chuck, and it was obvious that, in order for us to have a meaningful life together, I would have to judge some.” The two of them spent nearly three decades together evaluating dogs around the world.

He was a lifetime member (more than 50 years) of the Nashville Kennel Club and served two lengthy terms as its president before moving to California with Pat. Chuck retired as president of Mid-South Home Exteriors in 2005 and found that retirement left him busier than ever! For when he was not judging dog shows, he enjoyed his motorcycle as well Laguna Seca activities, NASCAR racing, fishing, and hunting.

In addition to his widow and son, Chuck’s daughter Rebecca Myrick and grandsons Kevin and Kyle and three great-grandchildren mourn his loss. Celebrations of his life for family and friends will be held in Nashville and Carmel at future dates to be announced. In lieu of flowers, his family request donations be made to Take the Lead.

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Posted by admin on Jun 5 2023. Filed under Breaking News, Featured, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.