Charles Petty

1930 - 2025

Charles Petty
February 3, 1930 - August 30, 2025
Charles (Chuck) R. Petty, M.D. passed away August 30, 2025 in Hamilton, MT, at the age of 95.
Born February 3, 1930, Chuck was the youngest of three boys born to William Lloyd and Bernice (Wheeler) Petty in Williston, ND.
Chuck grew up and attended public schools in Williston where he was active in curricular and civic activities. He graduated from Williston High School in 1948.
He studied pre-med at the University of North Dakota on an athletic scholarship, where he participated in the football and track programs. He then attended the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School, graduating in 1955.
Chuck met his wife, Norma Heinle, in Williston, ND. They were married at St. John's Church in Hebron, ND on July 24, 1954, and were married for nearly 69 years. They had two sons, Kirk and Charles, Jr.
After graduating medical school, Dr. Chuck enlisted into the US Army and served a rotating internship at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, WA.
From there, he was assigned to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX for basic military training prior to entering the first group of Army Family Practice residents at Ireland Army Hospital at Fort Knox, KY. After completing the residency program, he attended language school in Washington D.C. becoming fluent in French for his assignment to the US Military Assistance Advisory Group in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
After his 18 month tour as a physician in Cambodia, he returned to Madigan Army Hospital for his final year of his military obligation.
In 1960, following his discharge from the Army, he joined the Craven-Hagan Clinic in Williston, ND in general practice.
In July 1963, he relocated to Hamilton, MT where he entered family practice in partnership with Dr. Richard Peterson and Dr. Donald Maclean. Their partnership later became known as the Bitterroot Clinic.
Dr. Chuck's fondness for the field of obstetrics resulted in the delivery of several thousand babies over the course of his medical career. He retired from private practice in 1993. He became an aviation medical examiner early in his professional career, performing FAA airman physical examinations until 2021, retiring at the age of 91.
He was especially dedicated to the medical needs of the professional pilot population as well as the recreational pilot groups in his practice area of western Montana and Idaho.
He was active in community affairs, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the board of directors of the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust, Marcus Daly Hospital Foundation, and the Montana Historical Society.
Living in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley gave Dr. Chuck and his family opportunities for much backpacking, camping, and skiing.
He did many bike trips with his wife and friends through the Vermont Biking Tours, which included rides in Montana, Washington, British Columbia, New Zealand, Prince Edward Island, and Vermont.
He had a private pilot's license and enjoyed many hours of flying his plane with his family.
He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and sang in church choirs from an early age. He was a faithful participant in nearly every office and committee within the church that he attended.
Survivors include sons, Kirk (Carole) of Ranchester, WY, and Charles, Jr. (Kayla) of Priest River, ID; five grandchildren, Brian Petty (Alison) of Moscow, ID, Matthew Petty (Hailey) of Ranchester, WY, Michelle Petty of Laramie, WY, Christianne McKay (Corban) of North Bend, WA, Allison Jampsa (Kyle) of Kent, WA; four great-grandchildren, Owen and Quin Petty of Ranchester, WY and Silvia and Wesley Petty of Moscow, ID; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brothers, Warren Petty of Fargo, ND and Dwight Petty of Spokane, WA.
A memorial service to celebrate Dr. Chuck's life will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton, MT, with a luncheon to follow.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com
The family suggests memorials to Marcus Daly Hospital (Bitterroot Health), the Daly Mansion, or the United Methodist-American Baptist Church in Hamilton, MT.