Chuck Zuver, a former lobbyist for the credit union industry,died on Feb. 14.

Once a lobbyist for the banking industry, Zuver joined CUNA as its executive vice president of governmental affairsand as the chief liaison to CUNA's Governmental Affairs Committee.After 10 years with CUNA, Zuver worked as a consultant for Visa andMasterCard and with the Virginia Credit Union League.

His close ties to Washington grew while spending many years onCapitol Hill. He worked on Lyndon B. Johnson's presidentialcampaign and helped develop a grassroots campaign for credit unionsin the early 1990s.

“Chuck was a lobbyist's lobbyist,” John McKechnie, seniorpartner at Total Spectrum, told CU Times. “From his yearswith LBJ in the late '50s and '60s, you would assume he knew theHill, and he did. But he also knew and loved credit unions, and didyeoman's service in advocating our interests at a time whengovernmental affairs wasn't always a priority in the movement.Chuck was a smart and steady hand on the wheel, and he was a friendand mentor for almost 30 years.”

Former CUNA President/CEO Dan Mica told CU Times that upon his own arrival inWashington, Zuver was heading up the CUNA office.

“He was Mr. Credit Union in Washington,” Mica said. “He had agreat smile and a way about him that everyone that met him likedhim. He knew the front channels and the back channels inWashington, and I think he knew everyone in the credit unionmovement. He was a friend, and quite an asset to the credit unionmovement. He will be missed.”

In a prepared statement, CUNA said, “Chuck Zuver was a truecredit union champion and will be sorely missed. He was a kind andthoughtful man whom everyone respected.”

NASCUS President/CEO Lucy Ito told CU Times that Zuver“frequently considered and spoke up for issues affecting the statecredit union system. We will always be grateful for his gracioussupport and helpful counsel.”

Zuver's funeral was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 atSt. Mary Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va. A life celebration willfollow at Belle Haven Country Club.