Eugene Carroll (Chuck) Hemgren


Chuck Hemgren passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 2, 2017, at the age of 77. He was born on Feb. 11, 1940, and was raised by his grandmother, Carolina Wharton Wild in Missoula.

Chuck graduated from Missoula County High School in 1958 and soon after graduation enlisted in the Air Force becoming a proud aircraft mechanic. He could put a wrench on anything and make it work. He was a Master Technician at several Missoula dealerships. A member of NRA, the V8 Club, The American Legion, the Deer Creek Shooting Center and his liars clubs. Being a lover of cars as he was, he rebuilt an old Ford and an old Corvette. He loved riding his Harley and building cannons. Chuck had a strong interest in anything WWII, as well as spending time with his grandsons. He could talk to anyone and was always willing to be a teacher. Chuck loved to make fudge and hangout with his friends, always up for a good laugh or joke.

Chuck married his best friend Barb on June 25, 1994. They did so much together, riding their Harleys, going to Flathead Lake, seeing all the beautiful sites and visiting their families. They had so much in common it was inevitable they would share their lives with one another.

He was a man that enjoyed his many friends and co-workers. If you needed him, he was there to help. Chuck loved to work with his best friend Curt Hessler at the Golden Dragon Fireworks stand, as he loved to help children.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, his two step-daughters he called “The Trouble Twins,” Rosemary (Shaun) Stevens and Andrea (Todd) Jacobson. His grandsons, Kyle Johnson and Braydon Lundgren. Sisters Maria Hemgren, Ruth Nelson, Linda Diane Larkin and his brother Don Nelson. Uncle John and Aunt Muriel Wild and his many cousins, George Poore, Elizabeth Wadsworth, Jesse Applebury, Kathy Berkowitz, Pauline Robertson, Mary James, Robyn Nickel, Shelley Stewart, John Wild and all of their loving families. And of course, his dog Pete.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Carolina Wile. Parents: Elizabeth and Don Nelson and Clifton Hemgren. Cousin, James A. Poore, III, his aunts and uncles, Jesse and James A. Poore, Jr. and Pauline and Robert Poore.
A simple graveside service with military honors will be held Thursday, June 15, at 3 p.m. at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, 1911 Tower Street in Missoula. A family friendly celebration will follow from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Linda Vista Golf Course, 4315 Lower Miller Creek Road, Missoula.

A special thanks to my anonymous donor.
“Chuck was a wonderful and generous man.”