Charles (Chuck) Engberg

life story

Loving Husband, Devoted Father, Adoring Grandpa

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

~2 Timothy 4:7

Chuck’s life and legacy

Chuck, age 64 of Bloomington, MN passed away September 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by people he loved. After a year long fight with cancer, complications from chemotherapy, sepsis, and acute encephalopathy from a rare mosquito-born virus, he is now fully healed and home with Jesus. We are deeply saddened by his loss and also thankful that he is no longer suffering.

Chuck was raised in Bloomington by his parents Harold and Marilyn Engberg, in a house built by his dad and uncle. He was the youngest of 4, with siblings Gail, Mike, and Nancy. He was an active athlete excelling in soccer, hockey, baseball, and played trumpet in the high school marching band. As a sophomore in high school, he surrendered his life to Jesus, making the faith he learned about as a kid, his own. After this, he became active in Young Life ministries. He went on to graduate from Kennedy High School and Bethel College.

It was at Kennedy High School that he met his best friend, Denise Davidson. Not too long into their friendship, she attended a Young Life camp where he shared his testimony of faith in Jesus. Moved by his story, she surrendered her life to Jesus as well. The pair who were best friends in high school, fell in love the summer before college. They dated through college, were engaged, and then married October 16, 1982. They built a beautiful life together on the foundation of faith, friendship, and so much fun. They not only loved each other deeply, but genuinely enjoyed being together. They were married for 3 weeks shy of 42 years and left a legacy of what love in sickness and in health really looks like. When Chuck woke up from his coma in May, the first thing he wanted was a kiss from Denise. And she was there to give it to him, just like every day before and after until he went home to be with Jesus.

Chuck and Denise began to expand their family with the addition of Michelle, Daniel, and Allie. He loved being a dad and was active in his kids’ lives and the lives of their friends, whether it was playing outside in the yard, sharing meals or end of week pizza-and-a-movie nights, or through coaching various sports teams. His quiet strength, gentle wisdom, and consistent presence was a beautiful example of what fatherly love looks like in action. They lived in the same home Chuck grew up in as a kid, but were able to renovate the space to make it their own.

Chuck was an investigator, builder, and always curious to know how things worked. He began a career in computer programming after college graduation that eventually lead to a role at Northwest Airlines in their IT department. He was not only excellent at his job, but he also loved it. And it didn’t hurt that he could use the benefits of working for an airline to explore and travel the world. When Delta and Northwest merged, he was able to keep his job and stay in Minnesota even though Delta headquarters was located in Atlanta. He retired from Delta in August 2020 but still kept relationships with friends and co-workers through their Thursday night golf league and various get togethers.

Chuck and Denise made the most of the airline travel benefits throughout the years. Family vacations always had buffer days before and after as they never knew which flights would have enough room for the family to travel. At times, they were stuck in paradise because there weren’t enough seats on the plane to get home. They encouraged their children to attend college out of state to experience a different part of the country while still staying a plane ride away. They could fly in to watch Michelle or Daniel play in a soccer game in Nashville or Boston, then fly out that night or the next day. They could fly out to visit Allie and see the ocean or visit a vineyard and see how she flourished in the California sun. They explored most states in the US together to visit family, friends, or places they hadn’t seen before. They traveled to many parts of Europe, and spent time with friends in Guatemala. They went on cruises with their cruise crew in the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, and the Canary Islands. Chuck loved to plan trips and Denise loved to go along and see what Chuck, and usually his sister Gail, had planned for them all.

Chuck became Grandpa Chuck when Clara was born. Soon Micah, Callum, William, and Luca were added to that crew. He was adored by his grandkids who loved dancing with him to Uptown Funk, playing “bear hunt” and going for boat rides with him up at the lake. He clearly adored them right back. He could often be found with at least one, but usually two of them on his lap during any family gathering, laughing or snuggling in for whatever show, game or movie was about to start. He wasn’t afraid to be silly with them or buy outrageously large Minnie or Mickey Mouses for them at Costco. Some of them are likely too young to keep clear memories of him in the future, but because of the love they shared, it is unlikely they will forget him.

Chuck will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of faith, curiosity, and steadfast love will always be remembered. Thank you to all who have supported Chuck and his family over the last year. They are grateful for all the ways you have prayed for them, fed them, cried with them, laughed with them, and held them close through this difficult journey.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Marilyn Engberg, and mother and father-in-law Elvin and Elizabeth Davidson. He is survived by wife Denise; children Michelle, Daniel (Elise) and Allison (Thomas) Knight; grandchildren Clara, Micah, Callum, William, and Luca; siblings Gail (Randy) Dorn, Michael (Denise) and Nancy; siblings-in-law Rollie (Mary) Davidson and Ione Davidson; multiple nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, friends, and colleagues.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

November 12, 2024

Wooddale Church - Eden Prairie Campus 6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA

Lunch and reception will follow the service

If you are not able to make the service, this livestream link will go live 15 minutes before the service begins so you can join the celebration virtually.

https://wooddale.org/events/