Dr. Charles "Chuck" Vincent Preuss

With hearts full of love and profound sorrow, we remember the life of Dr. Charles “Chuck” Vincent Preuss. Charles was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Robert Charles Preuss and Wanda Louise (Kolbahtz) Preuss. He lived a remarkable life defined by intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, dedication to medicine and education, a deep Catholic faith, and an enduring love for his family.

Raised in Detroit, Charles grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, determination, education, family, and faith. He began attending St. Alphonsus in 1974 and graduated in 1986. From an early age, Charles demonstrated exceptional intelligence, discipline, and a natural curiosity about the world around him.

A Childhood Filled with Adventure

Charles grew up in a family that treasured time together and believed in the importance of exploring the world beyond their doorstep.

Every summer, his parents, Robert and Wanda, gathered their family for memorable road trips across North America. These adventures frequently included traveling to California to visit cousins in Los Angeles and spending time with family in New Orleans. Along the way, their journeys extended to some of the continent’s most magnificent natural landmarks.

The family’s travels took them through the towering redwood forests of California, the breathtaking landscapes of Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, and the historic beauty of Mount Rushmore. Closer to home, they enjoyed camping and exploring Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada.

These journeys were more than family vacations. They were opportunities to discover the world together, share experiences, and create memories that would last a lifetime.

For Charles and his brothers, Mathew and Richard, those summers became an important part of their childhood, instilling an appreciation for nature, adventure, exploration, and the enduring bonds of family. Charles carried that spirit of discovery with him throughout his life.

An Athlete and Competitor

Charles possessed a lifelong love of sports and physical activity. An accomplished competitive swimmer, he represented St. Alphonsus throughout his high school years and continued swimming competitively at Wayne State University. His commitment to swimming reflected the discipline, perseverance, and determination that would characterize so many aspects of his life.

Beyond swimming, Charles enjoyed playing basketball and spending time outdoors. Whether competing in athletics, camping with family, or exploring the natural world, he embraced opportunities to challenge himself and experience life.

A Life of Faith, Knowledge, Medicine, and Education

Charles’s faith was centered in the Catholic tradition. His relationship with God was a quiet but meaningful part of his daily life, expressed through prayer, reflection, and a lifelong connection to the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. He made time each day for prayer and reflection, often listening to Catholic radio as a source of spiritual nourishment, encouragement, and contemplation. His faith provided him with strength, perspective, and comfort throughout his life.

Charles continued a proud, three-generation family tradition of higher education at Wayne State University in Detroit. He graduated from Wayne State University’s School of Pharmacy and continued his academic pursuits, ultimately earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmacology. His exceptional academic accomplishments, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to scientific discovery led him to the internationally renowned Mayo Clinic, where he was selected for a prestigious fellowship. In 2008, the family moved to Tampa, Florida, where Charles joined the University of South Florida (USF) as a professor of pharmacology, teaching medical and graduate students.

Throughout his distinguished professional career, Charles dedicated himself to the advancement of medical knowledge and the education of future healthcare professionals. As a professor, scholar, and mentor, he shared his extensive knowledge of pharmacology with medical students, helping prepare future physicians for the responsibilities of caring for others.

Charles approached education with thoughtful inquiry, intellectual rigor, and a deep respect for scientific understanding. He encouraged students to look beyond simple answers, think critically, and pursue knowledge with purpose and integrity. He truly enjoyed teaching, and he was known for cracking jokes during his lectures, bringing humor and warmth to the classroom.

His influence extended well beyond the classroom. Through the students he taught and the professionals he mentored, Charles’s dedication to medicine and education will continue to touch lives for generations.

For Charles, teaching was more than a profession. It was an opportunity to share the knowledge he had spent a lifetime acquiring and to inspire others in their own pursuit of excellence.

A Devoted Husband and Father

While Charles achieved extraordinary success in his academic and professional life, his greatest blessings were found in his family.

He met Shuh Wei during his doctoral studies, and they were married on August 15th, 1998. He was a loving husband to Shuh Wei Kan and a devoted father to their daughters, Anastasia Preuss and Isabella Preuss. Charles treasured his family and the life they built together. He was a man of conviction, intelligence, quiet strength, and determination. Those who knew him understood that beneath his scholarly accomplishments was a deeply thoughtful man who valued family, loyalty, faith, and the importance of living a meaningful life.

His love for his wife and daughters, his devotion to education, his daily practice of prayer and reflection, and his unwavering commitment to his principles were central to the man he became.

Friend and Colleague

To everyone who knew him, Chuck was kind, joyful, witty, and always quick with a joke. His infectious laugh could fill a room and lift the spirits of everyone in it. He was a genuine, trustworthy, and dependable friend. The conversations, laughter, and simple moments shared with him will remain treasured memories for friends and colleagues alike.

Family and Loved Ones

Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Shuh Wei Kan; his cherished daughters, Anastasia and Isabella Preuss; and his loving brothers, Mathew Preuss and Richard Preuss (D’Zarea).

He is also survived by his nephews, Richard, Reign, and Ricco Preuss, along with extended family, friends, colleagues, and the many students whose lives he influenced.

Charles was preceded in death by his loving parents, Robert Charles Preuss, who passed away December 8, 2023, and Wanda Louise (Kolbahtz) Preuss, who passed away December 14, 2025.

A Legacy That Lives On

From his childhood in Detroit to his academic achievements at Wayne State University, his fellowship at the Mayo Clinic to the classrooms where he educated future medical professionals, Charles lived a life devoted to learning, discovery, perseverance, service, and faith.

The same curiosity that carried him through America’s national parks as a young boy inspired a lifelong journey of intellectual exploration.

The discipline he developed as a competitive swimmer became part of the determination with which he approached his education and career.

His Catholic faith, expressed through daily prayer, reflection, and listening to Catholic radio, gave him a spiritual foundation that remained with him throughout his life.

The family values instilled by Robert and Wanda remained an enduring foundation throughout his life.

Charles’s legacy cannot be measured solely by his academic degrees, professional distinctions, or contributions to medicine.

It is also reflected in the love of his family, the memories he created with his brothers, the lives of his students, the faith he practiced, and the knowledge he passed on to future generations.

His life reminds us that the greatest lessons are not always taught in classrooms. They are found in the experiences we share, the challenges we overcome, the people we love, the faith that sustains us, and the lives we touch along the way.

Though Charles’s time with us was far too short, the lessons he taught, the memories he created, the prayers he offered, and the love he shared will remain with us always.

A teacher’s greatest legacy is not measured by the lessons delivered, but by the lives forever changed by them.

We hold fast to the promise of our Catholic faith that death is not the end, but a passage into eternal life with our Lord. We pray that Charles is now at peace in the loving arms of God, reunited with those who have gone before him and welcomed into the joy of heaven. As we commend his soul to God’s infinite mercy, we pray that the Lord will forgive his sins and grant him everlasting peace.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

May Charles rest in eternal peace, surrounded by God’s everlasting love.

Service Information

Family, friends, colleagues, and students are warmly invited to join us for a visitation on Tuesday, October 27th, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Terrace Oaks Chapel, 12690 N 56th St., Temple Terrace, FL. This will be an opportunity to share memories and celebrate Chuck’s life. Those wishing to express their sympathy and condolences may send flowers / condolence cards to the funeral home.

A Funeral Mass for Charles will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 9724 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL. All are welcome to attend. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater.