Charles O. Dechand

KENSINGTON - Charles O. Dechand, 81, of Bloomfield and Kensington passed away unexpectedly at home Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Born Sept. 7, 1931, in Waterbury son of the late Emil and Marion (Wirth) Dechand, he grew up in Waterbury before moving to Bloomfield in 1962. Charles completed his under graduate studies at W.P.I. in Worcester, Mass. He was a member of the class of 1953 and recently attended his 60th reunion. He continued on and received his masters and PhD. in physics from Yale University. Before retiring he was employed 36 years with combustion engineering as a nuclear physicist. He was a gentle, kind and loving man who would freely give of his time and talents to anyone who asked. He was very involved with the Bloomfield community, he was Treasurer of the Wintonbury Historical Society, Treasurer of the Bloomfield Lions Club, former president of B.A.T.V., volunteered at the New England Air Museum, and worked in the financial office at The Artist Collective. After retirement he pursued his hobby of videography and was frequently seen around Bloomfield taping many town events including school concerts, musicals and graduations. Charles was an avid stamp collector, coin collector and genealogist. He enjoyed world travel with his wife, Judith and each year he returned to his favorite spot in Chatham, Cape Cod. He was a long time member of the Bloomfield United Methodist Church and Mill Plain Union Church in Waterbury. He also attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Meriden where he was a member of the Social Action Committee. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society and was on the Board of Directors of the Bloomfield Interfaith Homes.
He leaves his best friend and wife of 11 years, Judith Ann (Zabrensky) Dahlgren-Dechand; a daughter, Ruth Skodis and her husband, Lawrence, of Granby; a son, William R. Dechand and his partner, Kate Lovelady, of St. Louis, Mo.; stepchildren, Janet Dahlgren, of Southington, Robert Dahlgren, of Newington; and beloved granddaughter, Emily Skodis. of Granby. He was predeceased by his first wife, Doris (Robbins) Dechand; and his son, Charles Clinton Dechand.
His family will receive friends Monday, June 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 25, 11 a.m., at Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 297 School St., Bloomfield. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: New England Air Museum, 39 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, or Wintonbury Historical Society, 151 School St., Bloomfield, CT 06002, or Bloomfield Lions Club, P.O. Box 372, Bloomfield, CT 06002, or Artist Collective, 1200 Albany Ave., Hartford, CT 06112. To leave online condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.