Obituaries

Charles E. Cheney

Cherished Husband, Father Grandfather, Brother and Friend Age 66, Shoreview, MN. Born June 16, 1943, died September 12, 2009. Chuck's family and many friends sadly bid farewell to a truly exceptional man. Toward the
end of his career, Chuck took up the practice of law. He returned to law school over thirty years after first
attending, obtaining his degree at the age of 61. He did most of his work pro bono, tirelessly helping friends,
family and very often near strangers in difficult situations calling for the commitment and expertise he brought to
his entire professional life. Prior to becoming a lawyer Chuck spent his career with several companies, working
first as a C.P.A. and then in executive roles, most recently spending two decades with Navarre Corporation as Chief Financial Officer and board member. One of Chuck's greatest passions was the annual Mike Cheney Golf Tournament, held every June in memory of Michael Cheney, Chuck's oldest son who died in 1987. Chuck poured his heart into the event, and has
left a legacy because of it. Through an endowment created from the proceeds of the tournament, many young people have and will continue to be able to experience Camp Widjiwagan, a wilderness camp in northern Minnesota. Chuck will be remembered as a
man with boundless energy and an adventurous spirit, qualities that led him to a vast array of pursuits: cross-country biking, skiing, marathon running, golf, canoeing, rafting, scuba diving, trekking the globe, and forever seeking the next great adventure. Chuck's greatest pleasure came from inviting others to join him and deepening his connection with them through these shared experiences. Chuck was also, and most of all, a wonderful friend and companion. He was charismatic, humorous and loved being at the center of attention, but was also a warm and devoted friend who loved to converse about anything. Chuck's family will miss their most ardent and loving supporter: he succeeded in life so that he might help them; he sought their happiness impartially and with an open mind; and he broadened their horizons through his sense of possibility and adventure. Chuck is preceded in death by his father, Burt, his mother, Louise, his step-mother, Rena and his beloved son Michael Charles. Chuck is survived by his wife of thirty years, Arta; his sons, Paul (Jessie), Tedd (Addie) and Jed; his brothers, Jim (Fran) Cheney and John Vong and his sisters, Mary Ann (Bob) Evander and Jean Marie Vong. Chuck leaves three grandsons, Nicholas, Louis and August Cheney. Visitation 4-8PM Tuesday, September
15 at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM, 515 Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview (651-482-7606). Funeral service 11AM Wednesday,
September 16 at BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, Roy and Shields Ave, St Paul. Interment Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Camp Widjiwagan Mike Cheney Memorial Fund YMCA. www.holcombhenryboom.com