Charles Pugh, 84

Charles “Chuck” Edward Pugh was born February 17, 1927, in Del Norte, Colorado. He was 84 when he died on September 6, 2011. His parents were C. GIenn and Esther W.Pugh, and at the age of 3, his family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where his father continued his medical practice for the next 45 years.

Chuck graduated from Laramie High School and completed his freshman year at M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), then, upon reaching the age of 18, he joined the Army. He earned an Expert Infantryman Badge and completed training just weeks before the atomic bomb was dropped. Although Chuck claims to be a life-long Republican, he admits to thanking Harry Truman for his decision. So, instead of shipping to a staging area to prepare for the invasion of Japan, he sailed on one of the first troop ships going from the USA directly to Japan. He served a year in the Army of Occupation as a paratrooper with the engineering battalion attached to the Eleventh Airborne Division.

When discharged, Chuck returned to Laramie and entered the University of Wyoming. He graduated in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering and moved to Denver to work for the Gates Rubber Company on tire design. In 1955, Chuck joined the manufacturing division of the Steams-Roger Corporation, also headquartered in Denver. It was an employee-owned company, which designed and constructed power plants, oil and gas refineries, mineral processing plants, sugar factories, aerospace facilities, and it also manufactured processing equipment for these facilities.

Chuck retired in 1985 at the age of 58 when he and Donna Rae selected Alexandria as their new home. They saw a certain aura here that set it above the many other locations being considered. Chuck appreciated the many opportunities for which he became motivated. His interest and support covered a broad scope of community needs, as demonstrated by his being a founding member of the Alexandria Area Quality Council, the Douglas County Lakes Association, the Alexandria Lake Council, and the Lakes Area Recreation Association. He helped form many individual lake associations in Douglas County. He also served on the boards for the Alexandria Technical College Foundation, Kiwanis Golden-K, Land of Lakes United Way, the Terrace Mill Foundation, and was the county’s coordinator for the Agnes-Henry-Winona Clean Lakes Study. Dogs were an important part of their lives, so a favorite project for both Donna Rae and Chuck was their part in building the shelter for the Lakes Area Humane Society.

Chuck’s mother wanted him to learn to play golf and tennis as life-long sports, but being of a rebellious sort, he took up instead downhill skiing and mountain climbing (which were not life-long sports – maybe he should have listened to his mother). But with Donna Rae as his partner and best friend, they together enjoyed hiking, cycling, sailing, kayaking, and competitive rifle and pistol shooting. Photography was a passion for 65 years.

Chuck is survived by Donna Rae, his wife and inspiration for 45 years; son, Richard Beaumont (Albuquerque, NM); daughters, Chris Beaumont (Arvada, CO), Kendra Dane (Eric Zimmerman, St. Paul), and Laurie Bridwell (Austin, TX), and children from his previous marriage, Glenn Pugh (Cairn, Beverly Hills, FL), Carol Heard (Terry, Bainbridge, GA), and twins Cindy Vashti and Leslie Vanette (Tallahassee, FL). Ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren survive him also.

Memorial services were held from Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria on Septmber 11, 2011, with the Rev. John Martinson officiating. Music was provided by Kim Byrne and Laurie Bridwell. Military honors were accorded by American Legion Post #87, VFW Post #936, and the Minnesota National Guard.

Memorials may be directed to the Alexandria Technical College Foundation.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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