One of the reasons it’s easy to be impressed with Charles Wisher is his quick memory.

The St. John the Baptist Parish resident has earned hundreds of medals through his participation in Louisiana Senior Olympics, but when I asked him about his best bowling performance, it was like it happened yesterday.

Mr. Wisher, known as Chuck to many in the region, has rolled that all-impressive “300 game,” and didn’t mind chatting about it when we talked Wednesday afternoon.

“It happened on Dec. 14, 1995 — how is that for a memory?” Chuck joked. “I was two months away from being 70 years old. I bowled it right down here at River Bend Lanes (in LaPlace) that we no longer have as a bowling alley. I keep trying to impress upon the parish to buy the bowling alley because it would be a good investment for them, but so far I have not been successful.”

Talking with Chuck about his passions for sports and fitness reminds me the concept of senior living is left solely to the person in question to define. Chuck will turn 90 in six months, but that doesn’t mean he is slowing down.

Baseball fans of River Region prep teams know him as the chairman of the American Legion Second District, comprised of teams from Belle Chasse to Lutcher on both sides of the Mississippi River.

“At this time, I have the largest district in the state,” Chuck said of the position he has held since 2005.

“I love seeing (players) grow, develop and reach a new level of playing the game,” Chuck previously told L’OBSERVATEUR. “I like to watch the game very closely. How players take infield and approach their at-bats, and how the umpires are calling the games from day to day.”

Baseball has been in Chuck’s blood since his childhood days growing up in Tampa Bay, Fla., where the Cincinnati Reds conducted their yearly spring training.

His coach at school used to secure passes, allowing Chuck to see all the old pros from the 1930s and 40s.

“When I was a kid, that is what I wanted to do, be a baseball player,” Chuck said. “The war came along, and I went into the service. I played overseas on a team about equivalent to a semi-pro team.”

Chuck served the country as part of the United States Army Air Corps, a precursor to the Air Force of today. He served for 25 months, including 13 months overseas during World War II.

Retired from Shell, Chuck is known by many today as an active participant in Louisiana Senior Olympics and recruiter for more participation in the organization.

He routinely competes in events hosted by the New Orleans and Bayou River regions, which are precursors to the state games.

Participants are welcome to compete in the games when they turn 50.

Competitions are held in age blocks of five years, with those 50 to 54 competing against each other, followed by 55-59, 60-64 and so one. The final age group is 90 and above, an age range Chuck will join next year.

“I have been trying to get people into the Olympics,” Chuck said. “I know people coming into the Olympics aren’t going to be very likely in my age category. I’m getting concerned that I am running out of competition in my age bracket. I don’t want to go out there and just compete against myself. That is not a lot of fun.”

Those interested in competing can contact Bill Pryor in New Orleans at 504-427-3334 or Theresa Theriot at the Bayou River Region at 985-331-3007.

One of Chuck’s main Olympic disciplines is bowling, where he competes in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

“It’s a mental game more than a physical game,” he said.

“It’s a real challenge to throw a ball 60 feet down the lane and get it in the 1-3 pocket so you get a strike every time.”

He still bowls once a week in a Kenner league and currently sports an average of 195 — still 100 points better than his age.

Stephen Hemelt is publisher and editor of L’OBSERVATEUR. He can be reached at 985-652-9545 or stephen.hemelt@lobservateur.com.