Obituary: Charles Richard Meissner October 17, 1936 - January 8, 2018

Charles Richard Meissner was born in Seattle, Washington on October 17, 1936 to Adolf and Lois Meissner and was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1955. Chuck and many of his friends were avid skiers and made many trips to the slopes around Seattle.

As a high school student, Chuck helped bring a fishing boat to Wrangell which is when his love for Alaska began. He returned following graduation and began fishing with Alan McCay.

Chuck spent a short time in the Army and got out in 1958. He was honorably discharged from the reserves in 1964. Following his release from the Army, Chuck returned to Wrangell to continue fishing.

Chuck met the love of his life Aileen at a dance at the A.N.B. hall. They were married August 9th, 1961 and was married for 42 years before Aileen passed away. After a short time in Seattle, they returned to Wrangell, settled in, called it home and never left. Chuck and Aileen had 4 boys, Chuck Jr., Marty, Greg and Vern. Combined with Aileen's two young daughters (Lisa and Kim) made for quite a houseful.

Chuck commercial fished for a short time and eventually ended up in the timber industry. He worked for Sykes Logging, and eventually started Longshoring and continued to do so until his retirement in 1993.

Chuck enjoyed fishing and hunting with his boys. For many years, he would take his boys to Thom's creek for camping and fishing along with Eddy Harding, Rudy Briskar and all of their boys. You can probably imagine the antics that took place. Chuck learned the art of smoking salmon from Rabbit Schultz and Harvey Gross, down at Rabbits cabin, at Olive Cove. This would become another place Chuck took the boys for fun and mischief along with Rabbit and his gang of boys. After the boys grew up, Chuck and Rabbit spent many years continuing to spend time at Rabbit's cabin doing what they did best, smoke fish, cheat at cribbage and misbehave!

Chuck also loved to go to the up the river to the Swamp Donkey every moose season with his boys. He loved all of the arguing and mayhem that took place. He loved to guard the cabin and enjoyed his job as camp cook. Everyone knew that they could stop by any time for an adult beverage, a good argument and something to eat. Chuck loved the company.

Whenever Chuck got bored at home he just had to cook something. He would usually open the fridge, take a look to see what was there and start a new recipe. He was known for cooking 5 gallons of whatever, putting it into coffee cans and dropping it off at the kid's house while they were at work so their dinner would be done when they got home. They just smiled, ate it, and told him how good it was.

Chuck enjoyed being a veteran and loved to hang around the American Legion. He spent many years tinkering with Willy, Harry and Charlie, trying to keep the old building standing as well as hanging American flags around town for the 4th of July celebration.

Chuck loved being a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to all that knew him.

We all know Chuck loved to be grouchy. More so to just hear himself sound grouchy. We think he got a kick out of it. But behind that grumpy persona was a loving, caring and generous man who was willing to do whatever he could to help someone.

He will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents,

brothers Fred, Vern and Audie and sister Lois, wife Aileen and son Marty.

Chuck is survived by his sons Chuck Jr and wife Shanlee, Greg and wife Tammi, Vern and wife Michelle, daughters Lisa (Lebo) and husband Jim and Kim Brink. Grandchildren Derek, Daniel, Kayla,

Darian, Kiara, Corey, Kendra, Tyra, Michelle, Jacques, Greg, Hope, Drew, Dani, Nicole, Jeska, sister June, brother David, numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.

Services were held at the American Legion Hall on

February 3, 2018.