A Lasting Legacy for a Beloved Teacher
Charles “Chuck” Brinker loved math, and he was the kind of teacher who made a lasting impression on his students. For over two decades, Chuck was dedicated to the enthusiastic instruction of his favorite subject at Ramona High School in Riverside. When he passed away from Parkinson’s disease in April 2020, pandemic restrictions made a memorial service impossible. The family wanted to design a fitting tribute to his memory and his commitment to education, which led them to conversations about establishing a scholarship fund at IECF.
Now, his passion for numbers will continue through the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund established by his wife, Pat, at the Inland Empire Community Foundation.
For Chuck, teaching was more than a job; it was a calling. “He had this great love for Ramona and for the kids who went there,” says Pat, also a former teacher. “He saw the potential. There were really great students there, and a lot were just unable to attend college.”
A Family Rooted in Education
Chuck and Pat met while teaching children at the American military base in Mannheim, Germany. They were colleagues and friends before their relationship developed after returning to the United States.
The Brinkers raised three daughters—twins Shelly and Karen, and their younger sister Kristy—who looked to their dad for help with math classes. “If you asked a question, you got a lesson,” Shelly tells us with a
laugh. That devotion to education bore fruit; Kristy became a special education teacher, Shelly works as a corporate attorney, and Karen is a patent attorney specializing in life sciences.
Chuck taught mathematics at Ramona High School until complications from Parkinson’s disease led to his early retirement in 1998. In addition, a strong work ethic propelled him to also teach night classes at Riverside Community College, run a tax preparation business, and launch the early adoption of computer education when personal computers were still uncommon.
More Than a Teacher
Chuck’s love for teaching and technology often blended in creative ways. His daughters remember a childhood birthday party where their dad brought home a computer—likely one of the Commodore 64s he used while teaching—and set it up so the kids could play the classic educational game Lemonade Stand. “All the kids were so excited because back then, hardly anyone had computers at home,” Kristy said. “It was a huge deal.”
“Everything was math,” Pat notes. “He started out in college thinking he might be an architect, but I think he just loved teaching math more.”
Chuck was also a skilled carpenter who built a playhouse, bookcases, and furniture for his family. “When we bought our home, the very first thing he did was build a shop,” Pat remembers. Kristy still has the train table he constructed for his grandchildren, one of the last pieces he made.
Carrying His Commitment Forward
“As a kid, I remember taking my dad’s math books and putting all my stuffed animals out on the grass. I would pretend I knew how to teach that math,” Kristy recalls. “That’s how even my parents knew that I was going to wind up being a teacher.”
Chuck was known for his dedication to students. Years after his retirement, former students would recognize the Brinker name and approach his daughters to share memories of their father. Though some found him strict, they appreciated that “he had high expectations and made them learn,” as Pat explains. Chuck would often stay late after school in order to offer tutoring; his hope was that students who needed help would seek him out for extra assistance. His expectation was that students would show their work in both homework and exams in order to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter.
After Chuck’s passing, the idea of establishing a scholarship in his name seemed especially fitting.
“College was important in our house,” Karen explains. “It wasn’t if you went to college, it was when you went to college. And knowing that was how my dad felt, it’s a huge factor in this scholarship because he wanted other kids to have that option as well.”
Supporting Future Leaders
The Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund will award up to $10,000 annually to graduating Ramona High School or Riverside Unified School District students pursuing a degree and career in math or math-related fields. The Brinker family wanted the scholarship to make a meaningful impact, understanding from Pat’s experience on the scholarship committee at Assistance League of Riverside how expensive higher education has become.
The scholarship is structured to be renewable, supporting students throughout their undergraduate studies. The family will personally review applications, looking for students who have demonstrated perseverance, meaningful engagement in activities, and a passion for mathematics. Students are invited to apply for this and other scholarships through IECF’s Common Application Portal, which will match applicants with all scholarships for which they qualify.
Pat funded the scholarship using a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA. “If you don’t need the money, and it’s been sitting somewhere for many, many years, you’ll really never miss it,” she advises others considering similar gifts. “It’s a good way to donate.”
Establishing a scholarship at IECF with a contribution made through an IRA rollover is a tax savvy way to leverage your required minimum distribution. This is a unique way that you can partner with our community foundation, honor a loved one and avoid including your required minimum distribution as part of your AGI.
A Legacy That Lives On
Chuck battled Parkinson’s disease for 30 years before his death. His grandchildren still cherish the gifts he gave them during his later years in assisted living, particularly his granddaughter who maintains a special shelf in her room dedicated to “Pop-Pop.”
The IECF team extends our deepest gratitude to the Brinker family for choosing to honor Chuck’s legacy in a way that will transform young lives for generations. Their generosity ensures that his passion for education and mathematics will continue to provide opportunities and inspire students long into the future.
If you’re considering establishing a scholarship fund, the IECF Charitable Giving team is here to help guide you through the process with care and understanding. Contact us at 951.241.7777 or email giving@iegives.org to learn how you can create a legacy that reflects your loved one’s values and passions.
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