Charles Fredrick Oltman

Charles Oltman Obituary

Charles Fredrick Oltman, age 85 of Bellingham passed away on Friday, December 24, 2010. He was born on September 16, 1925, in Lynden, WA. He grew up working on his parent's dairy farm, graduated from Meridian High School and served in the Korean War. Chuck was stationed in Georgia when he married Ruth Grider on November 24, 1951 at St. Michael's Cathedral in Boise, Idaho. Chuck was transferred to Colorado Springs, where he served as a Staff Sergeant in special troops and finished his military service. Chuck and Ruth then moved back to Bellingham in late 1952. Chuck worked for Meridian Tractor Co., Shakey's Co., and Brim Tractor Co. for 38 years total. He was a member of the Wheel and Keel Boating Club, and was active in the Gooseberry Pt. Fire Department for 20 years as a volunteer, Fire Chief, and District Fire Commissioner. He also helped to rebuild the fire department's tanker truck. Chuck was a member of the Ferndale Old Settler's Board and truly enjoyed gardening, boating, salmon fishing, hunting and being with his pets and family. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister; brother; and brother-in-law. Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ruth Oltman; daughters, Nancy Johnson (Chris), and Kristin Haggen (Brad); son Charles Oltman II (Cara); sister-in-law Gladys Oltman; eight grandchildren, Edward, Fredrick, Garrett, Tanya, Jake, Jesse, Matthew and Kaila; three nieces, Jane Hemnes, Donna Weidkamp, Joyce Ellingson; nephew Fred Oltman; and many other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the staff at the Courtyard for their wonderful and loving care of Chuck. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Meridian Public School Foundation; the Alzheimer's Society of Washington; or any charity of your choice. You may share your thoughts and memories of Chuck in the online guest book at www.molesfuneralhomes.com Moles-Greenacres Funeral Home, Memorial Park and On-site Crematory

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Jan. 2, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Oltman

9 Entries

John Mejlaender

January 2, 2023

Son Chuck and I were college roommates, and therefore, frequent Sunday night dinners at Chuck Sr. and Ruth's out at Gooseberry Point. Somehow Ruth always loaded up two athletic college buddies with a truckload of leftovers. Chuck Sr. was always patient, smiling, sarcastic and ever so gentle with the two of us, partying our way through Western, and both (miraculously) graduating. Of all my friends' dads, Chuck Sr. was a favorite. His SMILE was legendary (of course I wasn't his kid, just his kid's friend.)
Best to the family....
now a 40 year Issaquah teacher- John Mejlaender

Barbara Craig

January 8, 2011

Thank you to Chuck for his years of service to the Gooseberry
Pt. Fire Department. I always appreciated his ready smile, sense of humor and the sparkle in his eye.

Laurie Irwin

January 6, 2011

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Ross Beard

January 4, 2011

I'm very happy to say that the Oltmans and the Beards have been lifelong
friends.
Chuck and Ruth, and my parents - Milan & Carol Beard - have been very, very
close friends for over 60 years.
The Oltman and Beard kids grew up together. Needless to say Chuck II and I spent lots of time at each others houses with many great memories. It was always a pleasure to stay at Chuck & Ruth's.
Some of the most memorable times our families shared were;
The campout / fishing trips to Sucia Island each summer.
This included Softball games, lots of fishing, and chasing Killer Whales in
Chuck's 17' Norseman (this was before the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and
unless you were there, you can't imagine how exciting this was!)

The many salmon fishing trips we made over the years to Ilwaco.
I'll never forget one trip in particular when we were serenaded by Ruth for many, many miles after Chuck II and I criticized her choice of music on the radio (This was way before Ipods or ear buds so we were forced to endure it :)....and we loved every minute!)

I send my thanks for all the great times, and my most sincere condolences to Ruth, Nancy, Kris, Charles II, and the entire Oltman family.

Wilma Sheppard Albright

January 4, 2011

Dear Ruth and family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. I remember Chuck always had a smile on his face. He may be gone but we all have some wonderful memories of days gone by.
We didn't get to Bellingham in 2010 but hope to do so before summer is upon us. Take care of yourself. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.

Vickie Beard Presler

January 2, 2011

Dear Ruthie and Family:

So sorry for your loss of Chuck. And yes, the folks at the Courtyard are very special. I wish you great memories and peace to take the place of your grief.

John Mejlaender

January 2, 2011

My name is John Mejlaender, a college roommate of son Chuck (Jr.) at Western. When I think of his dad, it's always his smiling face and dry humor that first surfaces. Son Chuck and I would frequently drive out to Gooseberry Point for Sunday dinners, and always, Ruth and Chuck Sr. would send us back to B'ham with sacks of groceries and full bellies. Chuck Jr. and I FULLY enjoyed our college experience, and the Oltman's tolerated and accepted us regardless (of course following Ruth's stern "teacher-glare"). They treated me like family- always. In the ensuing years- with Western behind us, careers, moves and family awaited; I would see Ruth and Chuck all too infrequently; but "family" was always my welcome. Of my buddies' parents, Chuck Sr. has always been a favorite.

Much love to Ruth, Nancy, Kristan and Chuck Jr. Your entire family is missed by me.

Barbara Bliss Boucher

January 2, 2011

Dear Kristan and family,
Sadness is not forever, love is. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results