Lawrence Charles Ford Jr., or Chuck as most called him, leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Marin County. He transformed countless young lives through wilderness experiences and outdoor education.
The beloved Lagunitas resident passed away at 78 after a tough battle with leiomyosarcoma. For over two decades, he led the Team Program at Tamalpais Union High School District, guiding hundreds of wilderness excursions and creating educational opportunities that broke new ground.
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Chuck’s life’s work bridged the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. He especially focused on underserved youth throughout Marin County, which is something that really mattered to him.
From San Francisco Roots to Marin County Legacy
Chuck was born in San Francisco on June 10, 1946. His journey eventually brought him to the quiet community of Lagunitas in West Marin.
He met his wife Elizabeth at UC Berkeley. The two built a 57-year marriage and raised two sons surrounded by the natural beauty of the San Geronimo Valley.
Honestly, their deep connection to the landscape shaped Chuck’s philosophy on education and life. It’s hard to imagine his work without the backdrop of Marin’s hills and forests.
Finding Purpose After Military Service
Chuck’s path wasn’t always obvious. After serving in the military during the Vietnam War era, he felt the same disillusionment that many veterans did.
He tried photography as a creative outlet for a while. Eventually, though, he discovered his real calling in outdoor education—a field where he’d make a lasting impact in Marin County.
Revolutionizing Education Through Wilderness Experience
For 21 years, up until he retired in 2013, Chuck led the Team Program at Tamalpais Union High School District. He worked with students from Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Larkspur, and several other communities.
Chuck’s approach was hands-on and honestly kind of daring. He took learning way beyond the classroom and into the wild places that surround Marin County.
Creating Pathways to Medical Careers
One of Chuck’s biggest contributions was setting up the only Wilderness Medicine course taught in a U.S. public school. This program combined practical medical skills with outdoor challenges, which inspired a lot of Marin County students to pursue medicine.
From Novato to Sausalito, young people found new vocations thanks to Chuck’s vision. That’s no small thing.
Over his career, Chuck led more than 500 wilderness excursions. He introduced students to places like Point Reyes, Mount Tamalpais, and even farther afield.
He worked hard to make these experiences available to underserved youth. That commitment stood out to everyone who knew him.
A Life of Service and Personal Passion
Chuck’s dedication didn’t stop when he retired from teaching. He served five years on the Tamalpais High School District Board of Trustees, helping to shape educational policy for communities from Tiburon to Fairfax.
Embodying Resilience Through Personal Challenge
Chuck loved the outdoors. Folks in San Rafael, Ross, and nearby towns all knew about his wild physical feats.
Even while he went through chemotherapy, he still kept up those 50-mile bike rides. That kind of grit really showed students what resilience can look like.
Chuck picked up a bunch of teaching awards over the years. Honestly, anyone in Marin could tell you he was an exceptional educator.
His teaching style and philosophy left marks that stretched from Bolinas all the way to Belvedere. He touched so many communities around the county, it’s kind of hard to count.
If you want to honor Chuck’s memory, you can come to his memorial service on May 31, 2025. It’ll be at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center—a place that just feels right for celebrating a man who spent his life showing young people the wild beauty of Marin County.
Here is the source article for this story: Lawrence Charles Ford Obituary – Lagunitas, CA (1946-2025)
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