Chuckwasborn to Charles and Paulyne Sparks in Brownwood, TX on June 7, 1940. After his parents’divorce, he moved to Post, TX where he grew up with his dad and mom, David and Paulyne Cheshire.
UpongraduatingfromPost High School in 1958, Chuck enlisted in the Air Force Military Police and was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. He and his dog, Hans, who obeyed commands in English and German, served under the command of General Oles in Germany. Chuck was discharged in 1962 and moved to Redwood City, where he met and married the love of his life, Christine Margiotta, on Feb. 1, 1964. Together, they built a beautiful life in California, raising two wonderful children, Chaz and Krista. Chuck’s love for his family was evident in everything he did.
He pursued and electronic engineering degree and enrolled at San Mateo College in San Mateo. He transferred to San Jose State University and received his BS/EE under the G.I. bill. After graduation, Chuck went to work for Hewlett-Packard. Working his way up to middle management, HP sent him to the University of Santa Calara to earn and MBA. Through his MBA, Chuckmovedupthecorporate ladder, securing positions with COMPAC, Earnst & Young, and Sun, and became the first vice president of quality control with Dell Computer in Austin, TX. While in Austin, Chuck was invited to serve on the Texas Quality Control Board for the state of Texas under Governer Ann Richards. He was awarded aWho’sWhoAwardworldwide in 1992 and 1993.
After leaving Dell and a short-lived retirement from age 55-60, Chuck was recruited by Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale. He received top security clearance in theTerminal High Altitude Aerial Defense program there. He worked there until he retired at the age of 76, receiving the 2009 Team Excellence Award for his contribution as Lockheed’s lead quality control engineer.
Chuck’s dedication extended beyond his professional life. He was a committed father and uncle, always finding time for his family and community. He volunteered at Carlmont Parents Nursery School when Chaz was a toddler, led Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops, and even taught Krista how to bait a hook when she was hesitant a touch a worm.
Chuck was an active member of American Legion Post 105 in Redwood City, the Redwood City Downtown Lions Club, and the Redwood Jeep Club. His hobbies, which included camping, fishing, gardening, and horseback riding, testified to his adventurous spirit. He even participated in several one-hundred-mile endurance rides with his horse, Parsley.
In addition to his sisters and their families, his wife and children, Chuck leaves behind his son-in-law of two years, Grant, Grant’s daughter, Addison, his sister-in-law, “sis” Linda Asti, and her husband Ron, their children Terri and Kevin; brother-in-law Russell Margiotta, his wife Debbie; their daughter Michelle and her husband Chris and two grand nieces, Hedy and Kate.