Charles Hughes

LaFayette, California, formerly of East Moline, Illinois

R. Charles "Chuck" Hughes, 59, of LaFayette, California, formerly of East Moline, Illinois, died Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at home surrounded by his family, after a lengthy battle with bladder cancer. He met the final challenge of a life-threatening illness as he did all the obstacles of his life--with optimism, determination and resolve.

Services celebrating and honoring his life are 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 5, 2010, in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline.
Memorial gifts may be sent in Chuck's name to ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation), 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, California 94598.

Ralph Charles Hughes was born on March 27, 1951, in Anderson, Indiana, the son of Charlotte (Bronnenberg) and Ralph Hughes. He grew up in East Moline, Illinois, with two sisters and a brother, in a traditional family home where he learned values that held him in good stead all the days of his life.

Chuck attended United Township High School, graduating in 1969. He also earned a BA degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa in 1974.

Following college, Chuck worked for John Deere Company, transferring to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1976. There he met the love of his life, Katie Waltman. They were married in 1979 and moved to the SF Bay area in 1985 where he worked for Ford Motor Co. in Dealer Computer Services. For the last 14 years he held the position of National Account Manager for Ford?s North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations.

Sports were Chuck's consuming interest-especially major league baseball, and college football and basketball. He was quick to offer an opinion on almost all sporting endeavors; quoting batting averages, discussing incoming freshman athletes, and laying odds on Cal's chances at a Rose Bowl slot.

Chuck had a uniquely witty take on life that made him fun to be around. Adept at creating laughter and ever-playful, he often found a comfortable place among children, especially his nieces and nephews who speak of him as a perfect Uncle- a generous instigator of merriment and an ever-present champion.

Anyone who knew Chuck shared a laugh at his self-deprecating humor, his often unique and always unself-conscious point of view and his friendly, self-confident way of engaging with others.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 31 years, Katie of Lafayette, California; Katie?s son, Terry Waltman Jr. of Boise, Idaho; his parents, Ralph and Charlotte Hughes of East Moline; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Jane and Rick Lampkin of Moline, and Cindy and Larry Ziegler of Coal Valley, Illinois; and a brother, William Hughes of Moline.

Even though Chuck lived most of his adult life in California, he stayed connected to his family by phone, email and text messages; never allowing much time to pass without contact. He used every means available to nurture his most cherished relationships with 7 nieces and nephews, including: Craig Ziegler (Cara), Chicago, Illinois, Madeline Hughes & Ross Hughes of Moline, Illinois, Josua Zamzow, Meridian, Idaho, Callie Novak (Christopher), Boise, Idaho, Ryan Munson (Vicki) Boise, Idaho, and Vincent Cedillo, Boise, Idaho.

Chuck's legacy is a passionate loyalty to family, friends and Fords, dogged determination, strident dependability, life-long excellence in every aspect of his work, careful organization, old-fashioned patriotism, political conservatism, fiscal responsibility and an infectious sense of humor that made everyone smile.

The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Chuck?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.