June 20, 1934 - January 3, 2025
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It is with profound grief we announce the passing of Charles “Chuck” Ervin Poffenbarger. Our cherished father passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and a lot of love at home on January 3rd, 2025. He was 90 years young.
How to describe our beloved Dad, Chuck. We’ve often said it would be easier to tell you the things our father hasn’t done in his lifetime rather than sharing all he accomplished in his amazing life. Dad had a zest for life and if he was interested in something, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try! His creative side led him to express himself through photography, painting, wire sculpting, jewelry making and woodworking to name a few. Dad shared with us his love and respect for the outdoors, whether it be camping, hiking, canoeing, or backpacking, we all treasured our summer family outings. He believed in the importance of physical fitness for your overall health. He loved flying airplanes and playing a variety of sports; softball, wrestling, boxing, horseshoes, bowling, ping pong, golf, sailing, 10K races, pickleball, and of course his favorite by far, tennis!
Our Dad is our hero. He was a dedicated family man and led by example. His gratitude and sense of humor was constant throughout his life.
Chuck was born in Wyoming on June 20th, 1934. His family moved and settled in Central Oregon when he was about 8 years old. He worked as a ranch hand from a very young age. His love for the rodeo came from those days. He competed in bull and bronc riding. After high school he joined the Army for 2 years. In the Army he worked on setting up powerlines and was also Military Police. After the military, Dad went home to Oregon until a ranching opportunity led him to California where he also did some logging and worked in a lumber mill. He settled in Salinas Valley for many years working for a frozen foods company: Jon W. Inglis, a sugar refinery: Spreckets Sugar Beet Factory and the spice company: McCormick & Co. While working at the sugar refinery he also owned a donut shop and would go in before work to do the baking where you would often find his wife and sons helping before school, and his daughters helping after school. When it was time for retirement, Chuck and Judith settled in Arizona. He loved being able to play tennis year-round there. After Arizona they returned to Oregon and had lived there for the last 4 years.
Chuck is preceded in death by his lifelong love of 50 plus years, Judith Poffenbarger, his son Todd Poffenbarger, his sister Lois Pfister, his brother Jack Poffenbarger, his sister Donna Kroger, son in law Jim Tomchik, and great grandson Kevin Terrell.
He is survived by and greatly missed by his brother Doug Poffenbarger, sister and husband Kay and Ed Petersen, son Ron Poffenbarger, son and wife David and Maelyn Poffenbarger, daughter and husband Debbie and Chris Ramsey, daughter Vicki Tomchik, daughter and husband Angie and Joe Reeves, daughter and husband Judy Robertson and Kelley Conklin, daughter and husband Lisa and Bob Laylon, daughter and husband Chrissy and Dan Hightower, 30 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and his loyal friend, Walter.
Please join us this summer to celebrate his amazing life. Date and details to follow.
