Charles Emil Paulsen

IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLES EMIL PAULSEN
 
Charles Emil Paulsen, loving husband, father, brother, son and friend passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 7, 2023 at age 96.  He was preceded in passing by his loving first wife of 47 years, Betty; second wife of 4 years, Margie; parents Gustav and Agnes Paulsen; sister, Marie Roy (Melvin); sister-in-law Dorris Berntson (Donald); brother-in-law, Howard Arnest; and, sister-in-law, Ellen McKibben (Glen).  He is survived by and forever loved by daughters Diane Paulsen; Janice Puente; Linda Goldemberg (David); and Lori Morgan (Marcus). He will be remembered with love by his grandsons Nicholas Paulsen Morgan and Tyler Goldemberg; his great-grandsons Maverick and Axel Morgan, and Ezra Goldemberg; by his nephews Alan McKibben (Susan) and Randolph Arnest; and by grand nephews and niece Justin, Danny, Jessica and Glen. We will miss you, Dad.  

Chuck was born on New Year’s Eve 1926 and was raised in the Lutheran faith in San Francisco, CA. He was proud of his WW II military service that included serving in USA's first Anti-aircraft Artillery Guided Missile Battalion unit at White Sands Proving Grounds in NM. After an honorable discharge from the army in Oct 1946, he worked for the Corps of Engineers at the McNary dam on the Columbia River.  He later joined the State of CA Div. of Highways, now Caltrans, where he had a distinguished 42-year structural engineering and urban planning career. His well-respected expertise spanned countless city, county and state projects including important Caltrans bridges and aid to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Chuck married his college sweetheart, Betty Jean Arnest, in 1950. They settled in Yuba City where twins Diane and Janice and later Linda were born. In 1962, Chuck was promoted and moved the family to Sacramento where Lori was born. He loved his family and worked tirelessly to provide for them. At home he often joked about being surrounded by so many girls, and that the family dog Bingo was his only male buddy.

He had a brilliant analytical mind driven by details, yet he had an artistic eye.  He captured life's images and brought them to life through his wood carvings or careful pruning of his bonsai trees. He had an insatiable love of history that increased his enthusiasm for international travel. Then later, he traveled the world through his love of stamp collecting.  He enjoyed his Sons in Retirement (SIR's) membership for many years where he held office in service of his branch. But above all, he loved to dance. He was a member of the "Whirl-a-Jigs" and "Pairs 'N Spares" international folk dance clubs, which regularly performed at senior care homes and various venues.  His most rememberable dance partners were his little girls dancing on his feet.

Betty passed away in 1997, and in 2005, he married Margie  Weston.  Together they laughed, traveled, and danced for sadly just 4 years until her passing in 2009.  In his final years, he was tended to by a devoted team of caregivers which included April, Joy and many others. Also giving him comfort were his canine companions Patches and Peaches.  

He will be laid to rest on Jan. 20 in Sierra Hills Memorial Park at East Lawn Greenback in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be sent to the National Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, or your favorite charity.