Charles "Chuck" William Barrett
Feb. 3, 1936 - Feb. 10, 2016
Charles "Chuck" William Barrett, 80, of Albany, beloved companion, father and thoughtful community member, passed away on Feb. 10, 2016.
His life partner and best friend of 33 years was there at his side when Chuck departed peacefully of natural causes at the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany.
Chuck is survived by his cherished partner, Philippa Meehan, and his beautiful daughter, Chantelle Valentine La Vorie of Seattle, Washington.
A former Marine and Korean War-era Veteran, Charles William Barrett was born in the town of Sarcoxi, Missouri. Chuck was the younger of two boys born to parents Eunice Ross Barrett and Elmer Carter Barrett. Soon after his birth, the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where Chuck grew up and attended Walla Walla Community College, obtaining a degree in civil/mechanical engineering, and continued his studies in electrical engineering at Oregon State University in Corvallis. As a young man, he took flying lessons and became a bush-pilot supporting local Washington State farmers and their agricultural lands.
Chuck had a wide variety of interests and a great love of the outdoors, especially the Oregon coast where he designed several areas for the US Forest Service, including the trail in the Yachats State Recreation Area Park south of Yachats. Chuck was also instrumental in designing several reabsorbed USFS roads in the coastal range. He was an expert historian on airplanes and the aviation industry. An avid "garage scientist" and inventor, Chuck belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association and knew all the used bookstores from Eugene to Portland.
Chuck was especially known for his sandwich-making talents. Partnering with Philippa Meehan, together they operated the restaurant, Hoagie Haven, for 20 years in Albany. Hoagie Haven closed its doors in 2002 and Chuck retired, enjoying frequent trips to the coast and exploring nature preserves.
Chuck's good-natured, wry humor will be well-remembered by those he cheerfully helped. He was a volunteer for the Albany Volunteer Caregivers, transporting elderly individuals to their doctors' appointments, grocery shopping and on senior excursions to the Oregon Coast. He made generous donations to the Children's Free Library as well as to the non-profit organization, CHANCE (Communities Helping Addicts Negotiate Change Effectively).
A funeral service for Charles William Barrett will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home in Albany.