Chuck H. Amsden

Chuck Amsden, age 68, fought Stage 4 lung cancer for three years. He passed into Jesus’ loving arms on June 18, 2026. He is greatly loved and missed by his family and friends.

Chuck was born on February 18, 1958, in Everett, Washington, the first of three children born to Charles E. Amsden and Patricia A. Amsden. Chuck was always interested in staying busy. He had jobs at a young age, such as selling seeds or delivering newspapers. He was also interested in understanding how things worked and loved building model cars and airplanes. As he got older, he moved on to kites, Estes rockets, and engine-powered aircraft. Chuck enjoyed chemistry and electronics, building a relay system from his bedroom to the basement to converse with Arnie and Ellie. In high school, he built a HAM radio and listened to the world on it. He even reached Angola during the months leading up to that country’s civil war in 1976.

Chuck’s father, Charles, was in the Air Force, so the family moved often. He racked up 12 different addresses as a kid, including the Philippine Islands, Duluth, Minnesota, Cicero, Illinois, and Big Spring, Texas. When his father, Charles, retired from the Air Force, the family bought a farm in Rio, Wisconsin. Chuck was in high school at this time and instrumental in helping work the farm as well as working odd jobs such as baling hay or harvesting crops. He graduated from Rio High School with honors in 1976. Chuck always loved learning, a trait he inherited from his mother Patricia.

Chuck joined the Air Force in 1976 after graduating early from high school. Chuck was a metrologist (a professional who specializes in the science of measurement) and worked in PMEL, which stands for Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory. A highly specialized U.S. Air Force unit and career field. He was responsible for calibrating, maintaining, and repairing delicate diagnostic tools and instruments to ensure they operate with exact and reliable accuracy. Chuck stood out academically and had a great knack for absorbing complex concepts. He had a Secret Security Clearance to work with the space shuttle program, radio frequency, and microwave applications. Chuck served his country for nine years.

After he left the Air Force in 1987, he moved to Garland, Texas, and worked for USIR as a metrologist. He continued his education and graduated from Le Tourneau University in 1995, with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He then joined Mouser Electronics in 2003, an authorized distributor of electronic components. Chuck was instrumental in Mouser’s ISO certification, export compliance, environmental policies, and anti-counterfeit program, to name a few. He also served as liaison with attorneys and law enforcement agencies. Chuck attended Concord Law School in 2019, as he was an avid learner and felt this could only improve his ability to meet the growing work environment.

On a more personal note, Chuck was always physically fit. He loved to run, but with work demands and family life, it wasn’t always easy to get everything done. Glenn Smith reintroduced Chuck to running at the Run with Heart event in Mansfield. He rediscovered his love of running. Trail runs and marathons became a new part of his life. Chuck was proud of all his ribbons and medallions; he often placed in his age group. He loved running through the woods, in the mountains, and in the neighborhood.

Chuck married his pretty Texas sweetheart in 1991. They met through a recreational group at church. His mom had told him to attend church if he wanted to find a wife…he found more! Donna and her son Sean became his whole world. It didn’t take long for him to want a permanent relationship with them. In 1993, Sarah Jane was born, in 1995 Charles (Red) Matthew, and in 2000 Isaac Jared. Chuck was a great Dad who loved and cared deeply for his family. Sarah and her dad always attended the Father-Daughter dance together at church, and the boys have fond memories of fishing. Chuck was a firm believer in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Even through the dark days of cancer, he found comfort in the Lord. A book, gifted to Chuck and Donna from friends at church, soothed any uncertain thoughts about what would come next.

Chuck is survived by his devoted wife, Donna. He is further survived by his stepson Sean Lee, daughter Sarah, and her husband Chase, and sons Red and Isaac Amsden, one grandson Patrick Lee, all of Texas. Chuck’s sister Ellie and husband Rich Kluetzman of Columbus, Wisconsin; a brother Arnie and wife Melanie Amsden of Silverton, Oregon; three nephews and three nieces, along with other relatives and friends.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandparents, Charles Howard and Adeyna Amsden; his maternal grandparents, Frank and Mildred Danek, and step-grandfather Earl Fitz.