Charles R. Fieldhouse

Charles was born December 3, 1929 in Missoula, MT to Richard and Hilma (Hanson) Fieldhouse. His father worked for the Army Corps of Engineers and the family was “passing through” Montana on their way west. Charles was a 1949 graduate of Benson High School, and entered the Marine Corps directly after graduation. He served honorably for over eight years, and upon his return to Portland worked in the shipyards, on tugboats, and doing construction work. He had married Joan Parker in Portland in 1954. Charles spent the majority of his career working as an operating engineer in the chemical industry, and after “retirement” he continued to work for various companies, among them Steinfeld and Amalgamated Sugar (White Satin). He and Joan had become snowbirds, spending more time each year in Yuma, AZ, but eventually moved back to Portland permanently.

Charles was known as a man of curiosity and ingenuity – always looking for something to improve, repair, or figure out. He loved the process of confronting a problem with only his wits, a calculator, and pen and paper. Charles enjoyed listening to all types of music and taking day-long road trips. Animals were always a big part of his life, whether on their property or just the pets they always kept. He could always be the one to charm an animal, big or small.

He will above all be remembered for being a hard worker and provider to his family and the important people in his life, to whom he was always charming, supportive, and loving.

Mr. Fieldhouse was preceded in death by his parents, and he will be missed by his wife of over 61 years, Joan Parker of Portland, OR; their three daughters, Marvis Lynn Gellings, with husband, Craig of Portland, Sharon Kay Schoenborn, with husband, Dan, of Mulino, and Patricia Anne McCann of Portland; a sister, De’Etta Rau of Mountain Home, ID and a brother, Richard R. Fieldhouse of Newberg; grandchildren Mindy Kay (Leasure) Palmer of Oregon City, Tracy Romaine Leasure of Sonoita, AZ, Michael Anne McCann of Portland, Mikko McCann of Portland, and Charles Gellings of Portland; and great-granddaughter Sophie May Vendituoli of Sonoita, AZ.