Charles "Chuck" Keith Van Amburg

Chuck was born in Hood River Oregon and moved with his family to Yakima when he was a young boy. Chuck attended Yakima High, graduating in 1954. After graduation, Chuck attended WSU. At a family party, he met the love of his life, Mary Bailey. They were joined together in marriage on January 5, 1957. Chuck was drafted into the Army in 1958, attending basic training at Fort Ord, California. After being stationed in Virginia, Charles was honorably discharged from the Army in 1964 having reached the rank of Private First Class.

After his discharge, Chuck and Mary moved back to Washington, first to the Renton area where he worked for Boeing. They later moved to Yakima where he worked for Henkles & McCoy, Decoto Aircraft, and finally Dowty Aerospace where he was a quality control supervisor.

Chuck enjoyed supporting both his sons with their passion for racing cars and snowmobiles. Weekday evenings would find him in the garage, working with them on their cars, and weekends at the race track cheering them on to victory. In the winter, the whole family enjoyed snowmobiling, and in the summer camping and motorcycle riding on Clemens mountain. Chuck was the happiest spending time with Mary, his dogs, children, and later grand and great-grandchildren up in the mountains.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mildred Van Amburg, his loving wife, Mary, and his brother John. He is survived by his sons Mike (Liz) Van Amburg of Yakima, Bob (Laura) Van Amburg also of Yakima, seven grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, his brother Ken (Virginia) Van Amburg of Yakima and his sister Pat (Steve) Norris of Seattle.

There will be a time of visitation from noon to 4 pm on February 11th, 2023 at Keith and Keith Funeral Home 902 W Yakima Avenue. A celebration of his life will be held on at 11 am, February 13th, at Keith and Keith. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Van Amburg family.