The World War II veteran known to many as “Dancing Chuck” Franzke has died, according to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Franzke turned 100 years old two days before Christmas. He began dancing when he was younger. “When jitterbugging was the big thing, I was jitterbugging,” he told our sister station WISN 12 News.With Bev, his wife of 77 years, by his side, he kept dancing. That is, until earlier last year when a fall forced Franzke to hang up his dancing shoes.Franzke served as a Navy pilot during World War II.In 2010, he went on a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight and became a well-known ambassador for the organization.Stars and Stripes Honor Flight President Karyn Roelke loved Franzke and his dancing so much that a few years ago, she began posting the dance videos on social media, one every year. The videos have gotten more than a million views.Franzke became a worldwide sensation in April 2020 when his dance on his front porch to Justin Timberlake’s song “Can’t Stop the Feeling” generated hope and optimism during the lockdowns. Before his birthday last year, and word had gotten out that he was turning 100, people sent him birthday cards from around the country. Some schools even sent videos of students singing ‘Happy Birthday.'”I’m the most fortunate old man in the whole world,” Franzke told WISN 12 News.
The World War II veteran known to many as “Dancing Chuck” Franzke has died, according to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.
Franzke turned 100 years old two days before Christmas.
He began dancing when he was younger. “When jitterbugging was the big thing, I was jitterbugging,” he told our sister station WISN 12 News.
With Bev, his wife of 77 years, by his side, he kept dancing. That is, until earlier last year when a fall forced Franzke to hang up his dancing shoes.
Franzke served as a Navy pilot during World War II.
In 2010, he went on a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight and became a well-known ambassador for the organization.
Stars and Stripes Honor Flight President Karyn Roelke loved Franzke and his dancing so much that a few years ago, she began posting the dance videos on social media, one every year. The videos have gotten more than a million views.
Franzke became a worldwide sensation in April 2020 when his dance on his front porch to Justin Timberlake’s song “Can’t Stop the Feeling” generated hope and optimism during the lockdowns.
Before his birthday last year, and word had gotten out that he was turning 100, people sent him birthday cards from around the country. Some schools even sent videos of students singing ‘Happy Birthday.’
“I’m the most fortunate old man in the whole world,” Franzke told WISN 12 News.
