Charles Frederick Soliday

1920 - 2016

Charles Frederick Soliday passed away on August 7, 2016 two days after celebrating his 96th birthday. He was born in Idaho Falls on August 5,1920 to Frank and Elma Soliday. After his early years in Swan Valley and then Salmon, Idaho, he earned a B.S. in architecture from the University of Idaho. He joined the navy during WW II, and received his officer training at Columbia University. In 1941, he met Harriet Anderson at a Moscow Grange dance and they married January 16, l944 just before he was shipped overseas. The story of their courtship can be found in the the book “War Bonds” by Cindy Hval. After the war, he started his architecture career at L.E. Stalker in Idaho Falls. In 1955, he moved his family to Spokane and went to work at Culler, Gale, Martell. He was a hard worker who loved the creative process and would spend evenings, weekends, and vacation time building homes, and gardens, rock walls, and patios. He believed each day was a gift that could be used to accomplish something. Through the years, he said yes to any project that his parents, children, or church needed done. When he retired in 1988, he was happy to have more time not only for his ambitious projects , but also for fun activities. He had a weekly golf game that began when the Spokane courses opened in the spring and continued until they closed late fall. He loved gardening, bridge, reading, billiards, fishing, and all types of dance from square to ball room. He always looked forward to going into the mountains near Salmon, Idaho to work a gold claim with his cherished brother Arden. He was open and friendly to those he met during his life time. He loved deeply, and he taught honesty and high principles by his example. Of all his joys, family was the greatest. Every relative was important to him, and his pride and tender love for each of them was a beautiful gift. Declining health for Harriet and Charles brought them to Bothell in 2012 to be near their children. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Harriet Soliday; his beloved big sister Marilyn Peterson of Spokane; 3 married children, son Charles L. (Phillis) Soliday, of Duvall, daughter Nancy (Steve) Engstrom of Woodinville, and son Gary ( Lauren) Soliday of Bothell. Also survived by 7 grand children, Todd, Cory, Molly, Michael, Brian, Devin, Marie: and 6 great grandchildren Sam, Jackson, Austin , Paige, Jacob and Haley. A celebration of his life will occur at a later date. Memorial gestures may be given to Fowler United Methodist Church in Spokane, or to your favorite church or charity.