Charles Roger Helkenn

Charles Roger Helkenn, 74, was born in Minneapolis, MN, the seventh child (second son) of Frank David Helkenn, Sr, and Rose Lorraine Helkenn (nee Engelbert). He grew up in a close-knit family with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. When he was two years old, the family of nine made the long journey from Minnesota to a new home in San Diego, CA. In San Diego the family grew with the arrival of two more siblings. He was a happy child who made friends easily. There was a strong connection between California and Minnesota. His family loved to sing and play music and he learned to play the guitar. His first job was as a busboy for a pancake restaurant while he was still in high school. He did well in school and graduated from University High School, a catholic boys school, in 1968 with excellent grades, that earned him several scholarships to attend college. 

After high school Charlie was the first of his family to leave home to attend college in San Luis Obispo, CA. At college he made many friends, including his wife, Carol Nadine Helkenn (nee Brady), of 54 years, and lifelong friends. He sang in the Men's Glee Club and went on tour with them at venues in southern California. He sang and played his guitar as a duo for two years, performing folk songs on the campus radio station and various coffee shops and venues in the San Luis Obispo area. He received his Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic College in 1972, with a desire to work in the designing of computers.

Charlie's first job in engineering was with Texas Instruments on a contract with the Navy at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in Ridgecrest, CA. He was involved in designing and testing computer guidance circuits for missiles. After eight months in California, he and several other engineers with Texas Instruments were moved to their headquarters in Dallas, TX. After six years with Texas Instruments, and a desire to return to California, he started working for National Semiconductor in Silicon Valley, designing and testing silicon wafer chips used in computers. During his career he worked for a handful of Silicon Valley companies involved with designing hard disc and optical drives used in many brands of personal computers. 

Charlie and Dine became a couple during their first semester at Cal Poly. They became engaged on April 24, 1969. They planned to marry in June of 1970, but at that time in California a man had to be 21 to get married without parental consent (a woman could marry at 18 without consent). Charlie was only 20 and his parents refused to give their consent because they were afraid if he got married, he wouldn't finish college. Unwilling to accept defeat, Charlie and Dine engaged in research and determined that young men could be only 20 and marry without parental consent in three states including Texas. Before the beginning of the Fall Semester, Charlie and Dine secretly eloped and were married in a small town in Texas. In June of 1971 they were married in the Catholic church for all family and friends to witness. Charlie completed his degree at Cal Poly in spite of his parents' fear. They lived in Plano, TX, and their first son, William Matthew, was born in 1977. After moving to San Jose, two more sons, John Kenneth Brady (1982) and Charles Richard Brady (1986), were born. From 1987-9 the family of five lived in Singapore while Charlie was working for Seagate Technologies.

Charlie started losing his eyesight and his independence in 2000. It became difficult for him to perform many of his duties as an engineering manager. He retired on disability and made plans to escape the rapid pace of Silicon Valley, ultimately settling in Brush Prairie, WA, in 2003. He owned and operated a car detailing business and rental properties during his retirement. He experienced a more rapid decline of his vision since 2022, but still managed to keep busy. He was heard singing around the house every day. He had an engaging smile and a generous nature. He is proud of his sons and the lives that they have created for themselves. 

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lorraine Helkenn, his oldest sister, Carol Davis, his youngest sister, Susan Henry, and two nephews. He is survived by his wife, Carol Nadine, his three sons, Will (Jacky) in Washington, John (Lemona) in Washington, and Brady (Maritza) in California, his sisters, Marylou Soderlund (Steve) in Indiana, Margaret Smith (Wayne) in California, Patty Yassin in Oregon, Billie Jo Poteete (Everett) in California, brothers, Frank David, Jr, (Marilyn) in California, Mike (Janice) in California, two grandsons, thirteen nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. He leaves behind many who love him and will miss him in Washington, California, Minnesota, Indiana, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Kansas, Oregon, and Delaware. He is singing with the angels now and they sound so sweet.

Charlie's death was due to cancer of unknown origin and discovered too late. His decline was rapid with little time to prepare. Please direct your generosity to services for the blind and research for early detection of dreadful cancers.