He was born on October 9, 1925 in San Francisco, CA, the only child of Nellie and Charles Michaelis. He grew up in San Francisco and spent summers with his grandmother in Arbuckle, CA. He joined the Navy immediately after graduating from Lincoln High School in San Francisco and was sent to college under the V12 program. While serving, he received his degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and served his active duty on board a ship in the Pacific Ocean. After the War, he completed a degree in Business from UC Berkeley where he met the love of his life, Marian Maspero. He then received his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering from UC Davis. Following this, he was hired by Pacific Gas & Electric where he spent 36 years and retired as Division Marketing Manager.
Charles and Marian raised five children together. With PG&E transfers, the family lived in Woodland, Vallejo, Oakland and Fair Oaks, CA. While in Fair Oaks, they had property with horses, sheep, chickens and rabbits where Charles was involved in the leadership of 4-H Youth Club. He enjoyed spending time with family, hunting, fishing and skiing with children and grandchildren, activities at church and puttering around his land. Some of his other favorite past-times were stamp collecting, model trains, playing cards, and reading Westerns.
After he retired, Charles and Marian moved to Auburn to get out of the Valley fog, where he remained busy as a volunteer tour guide at the Historic Folsom Powerhouse State Park. He and Marian traveled in the US and abroad where they researched their genealogy. They enjoyed several Elderhostel tours in the Western States. He was a member of SIRS 79 in Auburn and a charter member of Auburn Presbyterian Church where he remained active until his death.
He is survived by Marian Maspero Michaelis, his wife of 64 years, his children, Fred (Suzanne) Michaelis, Joy (Dave) Jackson, Carol Michaelis, David (Janine) Michaelis, and Jim (Heidi) Michaelis, 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. His wonderful smile, his generosity, and his kind heart will be dearly missed by family and friends.
His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 1:00PM at the Auburn Presbyterian Church, 13025 Bel Air Drive (corner of Bell and New Airport Rds.) in Auburn, CA 95603. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.chapelofthehills-auburn.com. Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.
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