Obituary of Chuck Hunter

Charles (Chuck) Leroy Hunter, 88, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona passed away on April 1, 2023, after complications due to Lung Cancer. Chuck was born on September 15, 1934 to Dorothy and John Hunter in Grand Forks, ND. He was the eldest son and had one brother, John Leslie Hunter. Chuck grew up in Orleans and Lancaster, Minnesota. After graduating from Lancaster High School in 1952, he studied Engineering at North Dakota State college (NDSU) in Fargo, ND. He completed one year before joining the Army in 1953. Chuck was stationed in Germany and served 2 years then returned to NDSU, completing his Industrial (Mechanical) Engineering degree in 1958. During the last year of college, Chuck met Marie Brattensborg. They were married June 6, 1959 in Fargo, ND and made their first of many moves to Seattle, WA as a Boeing Family. His first position at Boeing was in the Manufacturing Development Program before he joined the Minute Man Program that moved the family to Minot, ND. Moving almost yearly to support the installations of over 150 missile installations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. These locations kept him close to family and he made lasting friendships during these years. Transitioning to Test Program manager and Missile Launch Manger, he moved the family to California. Moving to Seattle, he continued to manage multiple programs with Minute Man. In 1989, Chuck and Marie move to Saudi Arabia where he managed the implementation for 15 radar shields around the country. During their 3 years in Saudi, they traveled extensively in Europe, including a favorite trip for a Safari in Kenya. The Gulf War broke out and Marie came back to the states while Chuck continued as the program manager for the Saudi System. Chuck closed out his 37-year Boeing career at Boeing Petroleum in New Orleans and then as the Director of Flight Test in Bear, Delaware with the Boeing Helicopter division. While in Delaware, he obtained his Private Pilot’s License, which he was very proud of achieving and enjoyed flying. They returned to Seattle, WA where Chuck retired. Enjoying the warm weather in Saudi, they built a home in Lake Havasu, AZ in 2000 where he lived until his death. Chuck enjoyed being active. He loved the challenge of running multiple marathons, half marathons and 10K races over the years. Early in his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Chuck found his most joy in his role as Father and Husband. Chuck and Marie raised 3 children, Roger Hunter, Joan Hunter, and Patty Kindsvater who blessed him with 4 grandchildren, Brett and Kurt Kindsvater, Lars and Annika Light. Chuck was a wonderful and devoted father, husband, teacher and mentor. He taught us you could do whatever you wanted to do if you put in the work and dedications, and supported us throughout the many accomplishments and difficulties of our lives. He found his most joy when around family and friends, hosting, and bringing people together. His smile, laugh, joking nature and generous heart is what we will miss the most in our lives. We have so many memories and are thankful for the love and family Chuck and Marie created for us all. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, both his parents, brother, and son-in-law Kent Kindsvater. Chuck is survived by his son, Roger Hunter of Renton, WA, daughters Joan Hunter (Jorgan Light) of Renton, WA, and Patty Kindsvater, of Enumclaw, WA as well as four grandchildren (Brett and Kurt Kindsvater, Lars and Annika Light). Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00pm, Thursday, April 13 at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu, AZ. A Funeral Mass and Reception will be held 12:00pm Friday, April14 at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Chuck’s name to the Community of Lancaster Education Group (COLEG) college scholarship at COLEG, PO Box 74, Lancaster MN 56735, or Desert Hills Fire Station #1, 3983 London Bridge Rd. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to Chuck’s family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.