In Memory of our Founder: A Life of Service and Vision

Founder, Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO)

1955 – 2019

Charles “Chuck” “Bowtie” A. Geertz was a man whose life’s mission was rooted in service — not only to his country, but to his fellow veterans and their families. A lifelong outdoorsman, Chuck found peace in the woods, by the river, and around a campfire. In 2005, after losing access to the family land he once loved to hunt and fish on, he began dreaming of a place where he — and others like him — could reconnect with nature and find healing. What started as a simple retirement idea soon grew into something much bigger.

When veterans began returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan between 2009 and 2011, Chuck saw firsthand the struggles many faced as they tried to adjust to civilian life. He accompanied them to VA appointments, sat beside them when frustration set in, and listened when the weight of it all became too heavy. Those moments revealed a deeper purpose. Chuck realized that what veterans needed most wasn’t just a place to be — but a place to belong.

That’s how Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO) was born. It began humbly, on 32 acres of land with a small shooting range and a fire ring where people would gather to share stories, laughter, and support. Over time, the dream grew — and so did the land, the community, and the vision. Chuck made it his mission to ensure that all veterans, including those with disabilities, could enjoy the same freedom and connection that nature offers. The lodge he worked so hard to build became fully wheelchair-accessible and equipped to support every visitor who came seeking rest, renewal, and hope.

Chuck believed in the power of shared experiences — from family gatherings to team-building activities that helped veterans and their loved ones rebuild communication and trust. HERO became a place of healing not only for veterans, but for their families as well — a no-judgment zone where everyone was welcome, and where healing could happen one conversation, one laugh, or one quiet moment at a time.

Chuck often said,

“Encouraging people to do what they’re afraid to do — that’s what HERO is. People put limits on themselves, but they can do more than they realize.”

He listened to the stories of veterans from every generation and found the same thread connecting them all — the only difference was the uniform they wore and the equipment they carried. Through that understanding, Chuck built more than a retreat — he built a family.

On August 19, 2019, at the age of 63, Chuck passed away — but his vision and his heart live on through the work of HERO and every life it touches.

Thank you, Chuck, for giving your heart, your vision, and your life to helping others heal.
Your legacy continues — one veteran, one family, one moment at a time.

★★★★★

“I remember when the VFW moved from Mulberry to the Grandview location in Muscatine. Chuck not only backed the Men’s Auxiliary post 1565 but he was the one who got us our charter and stood behind us. Thank you Chuck for all you have done and the legasy that he will be remembered for and many many years to come. R.I.P. Chuck and God bless you.”

John Rhodes