Charles Henry Gnehm
September 14, 1928 – November 3, 2012
Charles (Chuck) Gnehm was born September 14, 1928 in Chicago. His parents Otto (June 13, 1892) and Rosa (December 23, 1897) were both emigrants from Switzerland and Germany respectively. Chuck is survived by his sister Dorothy (Doty) who was four years older and is in good health today. He is also survived by his four sons, David, Chris, Peter, Richard and lots of grandkids. Chuck’s family moved to Oregon in 1945 and Chuck graduated from Franklin High School in Portland in 1947. He was drafted during the Korean War and served as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in Germany during the conflict. Chuck married Mary Margaret Blakney on August 6, 1951. In 1951 Chuck and Mary moved to Seattle and Chuck enrolled in the UW industrial engineering program. Chuck became a draftsman at Boeing during the day and attended night at the UW to finish the Industrial Engineering program in 1957. For nearly 20 (1953-1973) years Chuck worked at Boeing designing interior compartments, ventilation systems, etc. for many commercial jets. Chuck was one of the founding members of the Mercer Island Methodist church. Chuck also was involved in the community Jaycees and designed and built the Mercer Girls Ship float for the 1964 Seafair parade. Chuck was also involved in the Boy Scouting programs founding troop 650. Chuck and the family bought the Mercer Island Cyclery bike shop in 1974. The bike shop was a huge success and the four sons enjoyed working there. In the last years Chuck was limited in his mobility by several diseases, but would constantly enjoy the view from his home with his sons and his caretakers. During this time Chuck had two dogs which he cherished and spoiled at times. His favorite dog was “King” an English/Australian “three color” border collie who was found by Chuck wondering the streets of Valencia. Chuck adopted another dog “Nikki” who was a white American Eskimo dog and was strongly attached to Chuck. It was Chuck’s request that any remembrances or gifts be donated to the Humane Society.
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