A Tribute
to Real Hall of Famers
by Gary Chaney, South Side Imperial Dance Club
Chairman of the ABA Hall of Fame Committee
Edited by Mary Lou Poremba
Dianna Ahart, Linda Huebner, and
Gary and Charlotte Chaney
I met Chuck and Linda Huebner in 1981, when they became members of the South Side Imperial Dance Club and wanted to know how they could help. And help, they did. Chuck first served as Treasurer for 2 years, setting up the record-keeping system that we still use today. Linda and Chuck were the “producers and driving force” for the St Louis Swing Invitational for 12 years. The event was the major dance competition for non-professionals, who came in from all over, and many others who came just to watch.
Helping run the club and wanting to do thing the right way, Chuck and Linda attended classes to become dance instructors and certified competition judges. They helped any club that needed help, both the ones in St Louis and ones out town. Chuck helped them in the preparation of Bylaws and Standing Rules and any other way that he could.
they did.”
Chuck also served as Treasurer and then President of the Midwest Swing Dance Federation. When he passed away, he had been serving as the President of South Side Imperial Dance Club, a position he held for 11 years. He was a member of the ABA Hall of Fame, The Midwest Swing Dance Federation Hall of Fame, and South Side Member of the Year. His passion for the dance that he loved and his desire to share it with everyone was unbelieveable. Chuck was a very remarkable human being. He graduated number one in his class from college, but he was a genius with common sense. There are people who pass through your life and leave footprints on your soul. For me, Chuck was one of those people.
Linda Huebner is also a remarkable human being. She served as South Side Secretary for 12 years, and she produced the South Side Newsletter and the Invitational program book and flyers. She was the Program Director for the St Louis Invitational for 12 years and chaired the event for 2 years. Linda also served as Secretary of the Midwest Swing Dance Federation.
Then, bad luck hit Linda. In 1996, a tumor was detected on Linda's spinal cord, and the surgery to remove it left her in a wheelchair and with a speech problem. But, that didn’t stop Linda! Since she could’t dance, she became a DJ, a job she has held for several years.
Then she lost Chuck, her husband and best friend, to cancer but still she didn’t give up. She communicates with the help of her computer and currently serves on the Board of South Side Imperial Dance Club as Travel Director. Linda has led many South Side Cruises from 1988 to date and is now the coordinator for the 2006 ABA cruise.
Linda is in the ABA Hall of Fame and the Midwest Swing Dance Federation Hall of Fame. She was named South Side Member of the Year in 1988 and received the President’s Award in 1994. She still travels to many ABA events, even though she can’t dance. She enjoys listening to the different DJs and DJs and is happy just visiting with her friends.