Charles B West

 

image of Charles B West

Charles B West

Charles (Chuck) West, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed on December 30, 2017 at the celebrated age of 96. Chuck was born in Spokane, Washington in 1921 to Charles and Dorothy West. He grew up with his sister and cousins in Beaverton, Oregon, attending Beaverton High School and going on to Oregon State University where he played alto saxophone in the ROTC marching band. Chuck served in the Navy as a Machinist’s Mate 1st Class on the aircraft carrier, USS Bonhomme Richard, during World War II. He completed his Bachelor’s in Science in General Science, minor in Physics at OSU following the war.

Chuck met Delores (Dee) West, on a blind date in 1948, falling in love with her and her beautiful girls. Chuck and Dee married and began raising their family in Portland, Oregon. They moved to Bellevue, Washington in 1955, and together raised their six children – Julie, Theresa, Steven, Jean, Daniel, and Christine.

Chuck worked as a salesman with Allen Electric selling automotive test equipment. He was always a hard worker and studied to obtain his Professional Engineers License. He landed his dream job and a long career at Boeing as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 1987. After dad retired he did a lot of volunteer work for Sacred Heart Church setting up their computer systems. He was a member of and wrote newsletters for the Boeing computer club.

Our family is very blessed. No matter what was happening in our lives, good or bad, our dad was there for us in so many ways. He was so generous with his love, time, and words of encouragement. Whatever we needed help with, he was there with selfless generosity. “How can I help” he would always say. The love and support that dad and our mom, Dee, had for each other and shared with others was an inspiration to their family.

Charles B West and rhododendronChuck enjoyed bridge, golf, photography, home slide shows, Ham radio, travel adventures, humming birds, fishing, music, and gardening! He was a people person and made friends easily; he was loved and respected by so many. We are especially grateful to his companion Therese Greenheck, whose love and friendship added much joy to Dad’s life and whom we grew to love. We are also very grateful for his caregiver, friend and companion for several years, Shirley Lampkin. Her dedication to him was a huge blessing. He loved her and we can’t thank you enough, Shirley.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Dee, in 2011. He is survived by his sister, Suz Tessein, his children, Julie Pickett, Theresa Jones, Steven West, Jean Lindstrom, Daniel West, and Christine White, his 17 grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren (with 34 on the way)!

A memorial will be held Saturday, January 13th at 1:30pm at his home, The Gardens at Town Square, 933 111th Ave NE, Bellevue, Washington, with a reception following.

2 Responses to “Charles B West”

  • Glenn B Lee says:

    Chuck was a good man. He was my friend and co-worker for many years. He did all the tough jobs that I couldn’t do and always came through. He was my computer Guru. He dragged me kicking and screaming out of MSDOS into Windows – a very painful experience at the time, but one for which I an now very grateful. I don’t recall ever hearing anyone say anything negative about Chuck. The world would be a better place with more men like him.
    Love and best wishes, Glenn Lee

  • Wendy Higgins says:

    I will always have fond memories of Chuck. Over the years I witnessed a strong, loving, cheerful, smart patriarch to a large brood of children, all of which are a testament to his guidance. I know this guidance transcended to his grandchildren and great grandchildren as well. Chuck was also a very caring and attentive husband to his lovely bride Dee. He was quite the charmer and a true gentleman. Over the past 40 years I was blessed to have been invited to many a family gathering from Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to Anniversary parties, birthday parties and even a family reunion held in Cannon Beach. I am so grateful that the West door was always open to me and I always felt so welcome. When entering the West home Chuck always greeted me with a big smile and a huge bear hug. Chuck always seemed to deal with a crisis whether large or small with calmness. He always deflected conversations about topics that he knew might cause an uprising in such a masterful way. Chuck was never one to think he knew it all. If he needed assistance with something he was not fully versed on he always reached out to others get assistance. What an admirable trait. Though I don’t know if he did it kicking and screaming, this well versed “Windows” guy became a well versed “Apple” guy. A computer or IPad were his third arm and up until recently I was a proud recipient of many a spunky email.
    I was blessed to have known Chuck for so many years and miss him deeply. My condolences to the entire family. I know you will enterally feel his deep love in your hearts.
    With caring thoughts,
    Wendy Higgins

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