Family keeps memory of husband and father alive with Chuck Revak Memorial
BY BILL THORNLEY
SPOONER– It poured on Saturday, June 7, the day scheduled for the Chuck Revak Memorial Kids Fishing Day in Spooner. There would be no canoe rides, or even fishing as the dark skies offered a blustery mix of driving rain, thunder and lightning. Even a family of Canada geese huddled together on the shores of the Yellow River Flowage looked miserable as mom sheltered her new yellow balls of fluff with an outstretched wing as water dripped off her beak.
But, like her late husband, Maureen Revak had an enthusiastic no-quit attitude. Looking a bit like the drenched mother goose, she and other family members put up the banner for the event.
“We’ll just move inside,” she said. “The canoes won’t be here, but we’ll just do more tours of the hatchery.”
So the event quickly shifted from fishing day outside to a tour of the Gov. Tommy G. Thompson Fish Hatchery, along with face painting, prizes and talks from Department of Natural Resources officials, many of whom had worked with Chuck Revak.
And the kids loved it. The rain didn’t stop them, and they showed up in good numbers.
“I was really surprised,” said Annabelle Revak, Chuck’s daughter, as she set out the fishing poles that would be given as prizes to the children.
Chuck Revak was a fisheries worker at the DNR who not only was a devoted father to his own kids, but enjoyed helping other children discover and enjoy the outdoors as well. When he passed away his family honored his legacy by creating the Chuck Revak Memorial Kids Fishing Day.
With help from the DNR and Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum the event quickly became an early spring tradition as youngsters canoed out into the Flowage, fished from the dock, played games and enjoyed the natural world that Chuck loved.
But Chuck, despite his fondness for wetting a line, seldom had time to fish himself, recalls his wife. He was too busy helping kids.
“He was always baiting hooks, fixing lines – that’s how it is when you fish with kids,” said Maureen.
Chuck Revak was a husband and father and lover of the outdoors. Though he passed away far too early, today his wife Maureen and daughter Annabelle help keep his memory alive with the Chuck Revak Memorial Kids Fishing Day. Photo by Bill Thornley
Maureen and her children, Annabelle and Tyler, annually participate in the event which draws numerous youngsters. The banner advertising the event features family photos of Chuck with his kids enjoying fishing.
Partners in the annual event include the DNR and the Lakeland Family Resource Center. The Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner also participates, often bringing several vintage canoes and giving children rides.
Safety on the water is a big part of the event. DNR wardens are on hand, teaching the children about the importance of always wearing a life jacket when fishing or boating.
Rain forced the Chuck Revak Memorial Kids Fishing Day inside at the Gov. Tommy G. Tompson Fish Hatchery this year, but the many kids who attended had a great time anyway as they enjoyed tours and learned about fish and the outdoors. Neal Rosenburg of the DNR answered questions from young fishermen about trapping and tagging fish. Photo by Bill Thornley
Children normally go through three stations at the event. The DNR has casting poles, and they learn to cast. Wardens go over safety and rules, and then the group tours the Tommy G. Thompson Fish Hatchery where they can learn fish identification. Poles and bait are provided for the young anglers, and each child receives a gift.
The little folks have had a tremendous time learning about the great American pastime of fishing in past years, riding out across the deep blue water in canoes, touring the fish hatchery, and just being kids.
It is the kind of thing that probably would have brought a big smile to the man that the event has been named for. And though the rains fell this year, the spirit of the event was not dampened at all.