Charles Engquist

Through the life of Charles Engquist, we learn that each day is a gift and that it is through loving others that we are richly blessed. In everything he did Charlie carried himself with honor, integrity, and strength that seemed to never run dry. It was easy to see that there was nothing of greater value to him than his family, and it is through his children and grandchildren that Charlie will touch a time and place he will never see. Through the life he lived each day, he leaves us with much to aspire for. As the tensions of WWII were reaching new heights, America had great hopes of remaining neutral. This hope would prove to be in vain, however, after the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, left us with no option but to declare war the very next day. It was just prior to this fateful day that there was much to celebrate in one young family from Muskegon, Michigan, since they were pleased to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy on November 14, 1941. Welcomed into the loving arms of his parents, Charles and Lena (Patterson) Engquist, Charles Leonard was the third of four children in his family including his three sisters, Evelyn, Marilyn, and Linda. His father worked as a machinist at Continental Motors while his mother worked at Muskegon Piston Ring. In many ways, Charlie experienced a childhood that was rather typical for the youth of his generation. He was raised in the family home in Norton Shores near the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Norton Avenue, which at the time was considered to be out in the sticks. His neighborhood was filled with a great group of kids with whom Charlie formed lifelong friendships. Even as a young boy Charlie was known for his great sense of humor and his sister, Evelyn, recalls that he and his friends always had a great time. He was a Cub Scout and also started collecting Lionel model trains and would do so for the rest of his life. After graduating from Muskegon High School, Charlie joined the United States Air Force. It was there that he learned the plumbing trade. Charlie was on active duty for four years altogether, serving from 1960 through 1964. Once again a civilian Charlie returned home. New and exciting changes were in store for him when he met the love of his life. Her name was Veronica Puisis and not long after their fateful introduction, they began dating. After falling in love, the couple was married on October 26, 1968. With the skills he learned in the Air Force, Charlie secured employment in the Sewer and Water Department for the City of Muskegon in 1967. He made a career there and moved his way up the chain of command, becoming a supervisor. Charlie worked on hundreds of projects all over the city and made a collection of several treasures they dug up including Coca-Cola bottles. He used to say he knew where all the water pipes in the city were. Charlie retired in 1996 after 29 years of dedicated service, and he was very proud that some of the people he hired and trained became supervisors in other cities. While he was busy establishing his career, Charlie was delighted to welcome three children, Charles Edward, Brenda, and Jeanne, into the life he shared with his sweetheart. They raised their children in a home on Grand Haven Road in Norton Shores that they purchased in 1971, and Charlie remained there for the rest of his life. The family home rested on four-and-a-half acres and was set off the road. Their front yard was the place to be in the neighborhood as it was always bustling with a gang of kids playing any number of sports. Charlie built them a small baseball backstop and also had dirt bikes and snowmobiles for them. The Engquist family liked to travel together including camping trips up north and to both Cedar Point and Great America as Charlie was a roller coaster enthusiast. They even took a trip to Florida where they visited the local amusement parks. For one week every summer Charlie was able to take his family to a cabin on the Platte River near Honor, Michigan that was owned by one of his childhood friends where they had great fishing. Later in life he enjoyed a trip to Alaska to visit their son who was living there. Trying days were in store for Charlie and his family with the death of his wife in 1995. Although the days, weeks, and months that followed were challenging, he did his best to embrace the days he was given. Charlie retired in 1996, which freed up more time to spend doing the things he enjoyed. He delighted in his grandchildren and spent as much time as he could with them. With his free time, Charlie was one to keep busy. He was a do it yourself sort of guy who kept things in good repair around the house and made sure all the engines were taken care of as well. He looked forward to deer hunting with his buddies at the cabin on the Platte River each fall. Charlie played on a golf league for years and used to practice hitting balls in his backyard. His retirement years regularly found him in his large gardens where he grew vegetables that he shared with his family and friends including pumpkins for his grandchildren. Charlies grandchildren also collected golf balls for him when he was practicing in his backyard, and he frequently hauled out his model trains for them, too. Charlie liked getting together to play cribbage several times a week with his friends, often at Paddys Pub. He was also known to gamble at times as he took several trips to Las Vegas with his friends and also visited the local casinos. Charlie was given a tough pill to swallow when he was diagnosed with throat cancer just this past March. He gave it everything he had, enduring strong chemotherapy treatments. However, recovery was not to be as the treatments weakened his body so. In everything he did, Charles Engquist brought such warmth and fun to the world around him. He worked hard and played hard, too, but there was nothing more important to Charlie than his family. He will be deeply missed. Charles L. Engquist Jr. died Saturday, May 21, 2011. Charlies family includes his son, Charles E. (Wendy) Engquist of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Brenda (Jeff) Stapel of Muskegon, Jeanne (Jeff) McFalda of Holland; 3 sisters, Evelyn (Dale) Grimm of Hesperia, Marilyn (Jim) Jenkins of Greenville, Linda Engquist of PA; 9 grandchildren, Barbara & Charlie Engquist, Adam & Jeffrey Alvesteffer, Nathan Stapel, Kelsey, Veronica & Megan Baugh, Jake McFalda. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife Veronica in 1995. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 1:00 p.m. at Clock Chapel with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visit with Charlies family and friends on Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.