Charles Calvin Wetherald

Charles Calvin Wetherald, born August 29, 1923, was the third of four children born to Howard and Adlene (nee Dennis of Wichita Kansas) Wetherald of Wenatchee WA. Cal's grandparents had moved from Hebron Nebraska and settled in the Wenatchee Valley at the turn of the 20th century. They were members of Central Christian Church - now Cornerstone Christian Church. As a music lover Cal sang in the Apollo Club and church choir and played in the church hand bell choir. He served in the US Army for 2 ½ years, including time at Peleliu, Palau Islands and Hokkaido, Japan. After WWII Cal, along with his father and brother, completed a cabin on Lake Wenatchee which remained his favorite "get away" throughout his life. The family still maintains the cabin. After leaving the service he worked for the Wetherald Insurance Agency for 3 years and then for Bronson Lumber Company and Bagdon's Furniture before beginning his long career with the Chelan County PUD retiring at 67. With their 5 children Cal and Elsie lived in Wenatchee except for the years 1955-1960 when they lived in the Chelan County PUD housing in Chelan Falls WA. Cal loved the out of doors especially boating and hiking in the Cascades. His passion for slide photography reflects his love of back packing and trail hiking. He even built a motorized "packer" to spare his wife Elsie's back when hiking with heavy backpacks in the 1950's before today's lightweight materials existed. Cal was also passionate about fixing and building things: a ventilated box counterweighted over his bed allowing for "darkened daytime sleeping" after shift work; clock repair; homemade slide projector; Heath Kit High Fidelity components; general home repairs in Wenatchee and at the family cabin on Lake Wenatchee; and many gadgets to simplify life around the home. Cal enjoyed classical music all of his life. Even as a young man he could be found lying on the living room floor with long-play records of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff Symphonies and piano concerti as well as lighter works - all "cranked to the max!" shaking the whole house. Cal was also creative as a father making up his own children's bedtime stories. Cal is survived by Richard, James and Christine from his marriage to Myrtle Louise Perkins Schuchardt - April 18, 1943 - and Mark and Ann from his marriage to Elsie Sellar - June 1, 1951. Elsie preceded Cal in death in 2005. They had been married for 54 years. Cal is also survived by 13 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren. The memorial service will be at Cornerstone Christian Church, 1 pm Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice, 1020 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801.

Charles Calvin Wetherald

August 29, 1923 - May 30, 2014