I can't believe three years have passed already. I'll forever miss Chuck's enthusiasm, energy, and passion for every project he took on. I miss the way he spent so much time and effort keeping in touch with his/our friends.

The world is a lonelier place without Chuck. He used to call me up every month or two and we would work on some problem or just invent one. I miss him.

What a beautiful memorial, Donna. I just learned of Chuck's passing - what a shock. My deepest condolences go out to you. Chuck was a very fun and hospitable man. I'm glad I had the opportunity to go on that wild and crazy ride with him on his new Cat - whew! May he rest in peace.

Nice tribute page Donna. Sorry to here of Chuck's passing. Just stumbled across this today. (06/11/14)

We had a number of good times and experiences, until that unfortunate Nevada office debacle. Sorry it had to separate us, but so goes life. 

I'm preparing to sell my last business and spend my last few years, as they too are drawing short, in my motor home traveling this great country and revisiting many old places and friends.  www.jrwhipple.com

I'm a little late to post here but have finally rounded up some thoughts.

Chuck & I have been friends since about 1959. We met at Ampex Corp where we were both working on a project that Ampex referred to as the 'Carmel Project'. Chuck was a newbie engineer and I was a technician. Ken Thompson has remembered this era in his tribute.

Chuck moved on to a new job at Vidar Corp and subsequently recommended me for a job there too. It turned out to be good for me and I remained there for 23 years.

Chuck & I have flown in his PT19, raced go karts, ridden dirt motorcycles, water skied, and repaired a whole host of things together.

We traveled, camped and just hung out together.

One of the memorable repair jobs that we did was to repair the brakes on his Ford 8N tractor as they would scarcely work at all and he could not use them to assist in turning (important for a tractor).

As usual Chuck wanted the BEST of everything for this job. So we took it all apart and found that it needed brake shoes and drums turned. And we found that the axles need to be built up with welding and re-machined . We wanted to have the brake shoes 'arced in'. This was just at the time that asbestos was being phased out of everything and all of the brake shops we went to would no longer arc the shoes as this would generate some dust which might have some asbestos in it.

Finally someone told us that there was a guy in the back of a motorcycle shop that might do it. We found him and sure enough we got the shoes arced and when the tractor was back together the brakes worked perfectly.

This sort of illustrates Chuck's bent on perfection. Donna mentioned Chuck's three 'mottos' for this:

"Life is an apple. Take big bites."
"Moderation is for monks."
"Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess."

But there was another to add:

'Too much is just enough.'

Whenever we were working on something and he would want something better than we could find we would trot out these maxims and laugh about it.

Motorcycling (dirt bikes) was big activity for us. A favorite place was Clear Creek (now closed) in Central Calif. Chuck would select a date and inform everyone he knew and most of us would show up for a few days of riding , camping and fun.

I'm missing all this fun already and I am going to miss Chuck too. How can you say goodbye to all of this?

Paul Moyer

We met Chuck and Donna shortly before Chuck's passing and we are eternally grateful for the time we spent with them. Chuck was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and his love for Donna was so very evident. Donna, you were very privileged to experience the love of a great man and he was very free to express that love to all. Keep Chuck close in your heart and he will be with you always.

Beautiful tribute for a great guy and fellow facilitator, Donna!

I remember Chuck from my early days with the HR Training Division at the City of Tucson. Those were my 'green' training days. Chuck's courses helped me with my own facilitating skills, and definitely changed the lives of many a City of Tucson employee.

Thanks for doing this!

WOW.
Donna what an Absolutely Beautiful Memorial Tribute to Chuck.
I was so Happy to know you Chuck and enjoyed your sense of Humor.
I Will MISS YOU.
Donna my Heart hurts for you. I'm glad that you have so many Beautiful Memories. I enjoyed the Gorgeous pictures. 
Sending My Love.. Susie .

Chuck was certainly a man who stood heads above the common man. His intelligence oozed out of him as he taught hugely complicated financial aspects of his and Donna's investment business. I have known a lot of College Professors who could have learned teaching methods from him. Aside from this brilliant side, Chuck was fun-loving and always happy to see his friends, He has left a huge hole in our hearts and we will miss him forever. Donna knows how much he loved her and we know she feels blessed for the time she had with him. You meet many new friends in this nomad lifestyle we have, but only a few become as special as Chuck and Donna. Peace to you, Donna. We love you and hope to see you soon.  Earl and Virginia

Chuck was one of the first friends I made when I moved to California, so many, many years ago. His warmth, intelligence, and seductive humor made him a friend for life. He will always be there as a loving, supportive, and wonderful friend to remember. I will miss him.

Goodbye Chuck,
You have touched many folks throughout your life. From way back (the 60s) I remember how you and a friend befriended a young autistic teenager, Jim. Jim lived in a closet at home in Los Altos, CA, not communicating with his family but self teaching himself electronics.

You brought Jim into our startup company, Vidar Corp, where you were our first Marketing and Sales Manager. We employed Jim as a electronics technician, and he could do the job. With your guidance, Jim not only improved on the job, but became a more complete young man.

I remember one Company all-hands meeting in the cafeteria, Jim raised his hand and asked a question about the Company's business.

The world will miss you, Chuck.

Chuck, he was an extraordinary a man. Always positive and always smiling. He was so extremely intelligent and a superb teacher. His love for Donna was so apparent and beautiful to watch. I often spoke of him to my friends as an example of a miracle case regarding his victory fight over the evils of cancer. His positive "CAN DO ATTITUDE" and his well sought out medical treatments helped him to enjoy many many more years of life with his beautiful and loving wife, Donna. Chuck touched so many lives and we are all richer having known him. He is sincerely missed and loved.

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Chuck Cole was a terrific guy.
But that you already knew!

Just finished looking at the photos. When I stop crying, I'll say something worth saying. Dale and I have but one regret, we only knew Chuck for less than two years.

What a fine person he was. He could have been called Mr. Positive or Mr. Possibilities, always smiling and happy. He loved people and having friends over. He made you feel so appreciated.

Chuck was a true patriot in the finest sense of the word. He loved this country for its greatness and nobleness. He felt like a patriotic soul mate to me. His kind is not replaceable. Chuck was one of a kind, especially here is Pahrump. Dale will always remember the fun he had working with Chuck.

Chuck has truly left a hole in our lives, but we will remember his friendship and his business acumen that allowed us to retire when that seemed impossible. I wonder if anyone is aware of what they mean to their friends.

Good-bye Chuck. We hope to see you again someday and continue our warm, wonderful friendship.

Wow - what a ride and "My Way" is so appropriate.
Chuck's path and mine crossed in 1985 and we walked together for a few short years. Some people make a lasting impression and form unforgetable bonds. They never age, they never change and they are never far away in your mind no matter how many miles there are between you. Few people have made a greater impression on me in my 70 years than Chuck Cole. I won't really miss him as he will live on in my memories. Thank you Donna for the slide show and this great memorial. Tim

Many people touch our lives, but only a special few become dear to our hearts. We will miss him and think of him fondly.
                      Moe and Dolores

Donna, what a great memorial tribute to such a great man. I had never met him face to face (just internet correspondence), but I sure wish I had. I am so glad you had such a wonderful 28 years together--you both sure lived life to its fullest. So sad he is not with you anymore, but so happy for the great memories he left you with.

To the most professional, fun and exhausting first client. You taught me so much and was always here for me after losing my love,friend,and husband last year. Thanks

Chuck was a tribute in himself, to his way of life, his appreciation for perfection and his expectation of the very best of outcomes in his endeavors. It was edifying to see him progress from pogs to Parumph and always maintain a focus on where he wanted to be and the best way to get there. He demonstrated a determination to succeed in every endeavor and found the time to enjoy life to the fullest.
Well done, Chuck Cole.

I've lost my life's companion,
A life entwined with my own,
You're still mine to remember,
A husband I was proud to own.

I can say with total certainty, I loved...and was loved with a depth and breadth many women only dream of.