“And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me.”
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Obituary
Charles Sheridan Koehn passed away in the comfort of his home in Eugene, Oregon, on February 3, 2025. Chuck was at peace in the company of his family and took his last breath while his wife, Michelle, and his children held his hands. Even in the midst of his decade-long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, Chuck’s incredible smile and the sparkle in his eyes remained. He was 80 years old.
Chuck was born in Spokane, Washington, on August 26, 1944, to Yvonne Koehn (Woodie) and Ivan Koehn. Chuck was the oldest of his siblings: Michael, Hollye, Debi, and Greg. Chuck grew up in Eugene, where he fondly recalled earning money for his back-to-school clothes by picking beans and delivering the Register-Guard on a neighborhood walking route. Chuck was industrious and charming from an early age. He quickly learned that bringing along his adorable little sister, Hollye, to collect money from subscribers often earned the both of them a few extra nickels in tips.
Chuck was a member of the Boy Scouts and enjoyed his annual family camping trips to Crescent Lake, being taught to hunt and fish alongside Grandpa Woodie, and attending Grace Lutheran Church every Sunday, which laid the foundation for his firm Christian faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In April 1967, Chuck married Kathie Adams, with whom he had two children, Teddy and Cassie. Chuck and Kathie divorced after seven years of marriage, though they remained committed partners as parents, ensuring their children enjoyed a childhood rich with love and cherished memories.
Chuck met Michelle Simes through mutual friends in the Spring of 1982. They were quickly smitten with one another, each having found the proverbial love of their life. Chuck and Michelle married on December 18, 1982. They had two children together, sons Chris and Parker. Chuck and Michelle lived out their vows “to love and to honor, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health” for 42 years.
Chuck attended South Eugene High School and was a member of the wrestling team. True to the “Happy Days” era of his teenage years, he spent hours cruising the gut with his buddies. Chuck graduated in 1962 and was honored with an appointment to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. Chuck chose instead to directly enlist in the US Navy and served as a Radarman on the destroyer USS Edson DD946, deployed to patrol the South China Sea. Chuck was issued the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his Vietnam War service. He was also awarded the Naval Unit Commendation Ribbon for “exceptionally meritorious service” while serving in the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, alongside the destroyers Maddox and Turner Joy. He proudly served his country through six years in the Navy and valued his lifelong friendship with his fellow Radarman, Wes Pitrman.
After leaving the Navy, Chuck managed and owned high-end designer women's shoe stores in Eugene, Twin Falls, and Spokane. Chuck decided the retail world did not allow the flexible schedule he needed to enjoy the great outdoors. He turned his attention to building his successful, longtime career in commercial and industrial real estate, brokering sales, leasing, and developing properties. Chuck owned Chuck Koehn Real Estate, was a Principal Broker with Northland Real Estate, and was a Principal Broker/Partner with CW Walker and Associates, where he maintained close friendships and continued as an advisor and consultant following his retirement in 2017.
Chuck valued the fellowship found in service groups and enjoyed having an audience for his wit and humor. He was a longtime member of the Twin Rivers and Southtowne Rotary Clubs and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He volunteered with Hosea Youth Services and Youth for Christ and sought out numerous opportunities to care for people throughout his years at Emerald Bible Fellowship. Chuck served as a chaplain for the local Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) through his involvement with the Black Sheep Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Ministry for Christ. Chuck attended many men’s Bible Study groups, making treasured friends.
Chuck's affinity for the outdoors and compassion for people led to his decades of volunteer work as a man-tracker and incident command leader with Lane County Search and Rescue and Eugene Mountain Rescue. He was a nationally recognized tracking trainer with Universal Tracking Services. Chuck said, “Apart from my family and friends, there is no more important discipline, hobby, service, or job that compares to my experience as a man-tracker. Delivering a found child to his mom may be the most moving experience I've ever been blessed to share. I always cry.”
Chuck found solace and joy in the wilderness. He loved to drift and wade the McKenzie River, fly-rod in hand. He drifted the John Day and Deschutes and rafted the Rogue, Snake, and Middle Fork of the Salmon. He fished for steelhead on the Umpqua. He took annual trips for over 20 years to one of his favorite places, the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota and Canada. He hunted for elk and mule deer in Eastern Oregon and the Steens. He backpacked into the Northern Cascades and shared many treasured experiences in the Three Fingered Jack wilderness with dear friends and family. Throughout his life, this region became his sacred ground.
As busy as Chuck was with his profession and pursuits, family was always Chuck’s priority. His wife and children were at his side for many of his adventures, sharing the tent, the raft, the back of the motorcycle. Chuck loved all of his children unconditionally. The harder the circumstance, the deeper the love. He was present at every milestone—fencing tournaments, school plays, sports games, birthdays, and music performances—cheering on his children with boundless enthusiasm and support.
As Chuck grew older, he found joy in life’s quieter moments. He delved into history and biography books, filled his home with country music, and loved dancing with his wife, Michelle. He also cherished peaceful walks with Michelle and their golden retriever, Daisy, through Mount Pisgah, the Delta Ponds, and the Eugene Masonic Cemetery in their neighborhood. He sat outside, basking for hours, with the warm sun on his face. He strolled hand-in-hand with his grandchildren—happy to help them collect leaves and ladybugs. He played at the parks, and read countless stories with one baby held in his arms and another snuggled safely on his lap.
This great and honorable man will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Michelle, and his dear children and their spouses: Ted Koehn and Sloan Chong (Seattle, WA), Cassie Franklin (Everett, WA), Parker and Ashley Koehn (Springfield, OR), and Chris Koehn (Eugene, OR). Chuck had an abundant love for his grandchildren and was loved in return by Evan, Piper, Panda, Olive, and Willow.
Chuck will be greatly missed by his siblings and their spouses: Hollye and Duane Daggett, Mike and Stacy Koehn, Debi Koehn, and Greg and Laurie Koehn. Chuck leaves behind a cherished extended family, including beloved nieces and nephews. His nephew, Chad, gave Chuck his lifelong nickname, Uncle Buck, when Chad was a toddler unable to pronounce Chuck. Chuck was affectionately known as Buck among many close friends and family.
The Koehn family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Sacred Heart Hospice team and those who cared for Chuck with compassion in his last months.
The first gift Chuck gave Michelle when they were dating was a copy of his cherished book, The Little Prince. He would want this quote from its pages remembered by us: “And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me.” Indeed, all were truly blessed to have known him.
Chuck will be honored and laid to rest privately by his immediate family at the Eugene Masonic Cemetery and the Three Fingered Jack wilderness.
Poem
Sharing a piece of poetry that expresses my sentiments so well. Please share your photos, stories, and your remembrances of Chuck on the Memory wall! - Michelle
Loving the Gone
Sara Rian
thank you
to every person that leans in.
excited to tell me a story.
not afraid of the grief.
even those who did not
meet my person while alive.
thank you for asking
what they were like.
what it’s like without them.
for reminding me that
they are not forgotten.
and that they mattered.
Timeline
Gallery
Memory wall
I look forward to being reunited with him and Clayton and "walking silly" again.
I'll miss you Chuck.
Preston
I miss you and our long walks ending up at the fire or the pub. Forever grateful you are my father and my kids' grandfather. What gifts your unconditional love, encouragement and cheer were to our family!
Love you always, Boy Wonder
Family tree
Helen
Soos
Theodore
Koehn
Theodore
Koehn
Service
Donate
