Obituaries

Charles W. Armstrong

1946-2007

Gardnerville resident, Charles W. Armstrong, 61, died at his home on Dec. 16, 2007, after a long illness.

Charles (Charlie, Chuck) Armstrong was born Nov. 7, 1946, in Fresno, Calif., to Don and Peggy Armstrong. He moved to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, at the age of 3. He spent more than 30 years as a student and professional with the Arabian American Oil Company in Saudi Arabia. Over the years he would visit six continents, 30-plus countries, circumambulate the globe and traverse oceans by ship.

After completing elementary and junior high school in Saudi Arabia, he returned to the United States to attend Fresno High School where he met his wife of 36 years, Linda Schiebelhut, while a member of the diving team. He was known for his fearlessness and creativity off the diving board.

He graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in vertebrate biology in 1968. The recipient of numerous and varied animal bites (including monkey, python, eagle and monitor lizard) he worked extensively with wildlife and spoke often of his animal adventures. He was a manager of Safari World in Coarsegold, Calif. and later an elementary teacher with Fresno Unified School District. Hundreds of students will never forget Mr. Armstrong.

He was a master scuba instructor and created his own scuba business in Saudi Arabia. Through his scuba instruction, dive trip organization, and marine aquarium building he taught hundreds of people to enjoy the underwater world. He was also an accomplished animal trainer and was known in the Saudi community as "the Falconer." Among his many adventures, he experienced the effects of the Persian Gulf War as a civilian in 1991. He retired from ARAMCO in 1996 and the family returned to the United States to settle in Gardnerville. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and the amazing ability to create "projects" in the most challenging of situations. He was a leader, an entertainer, a teacher, a fighter, an adventurer, a story-teller and a family man. He taught many and intrigued all; He is no longer with us but his stories will live on.

Mr. Armstrong is survived by his wife Linda, sons Ryan and Brent, daughter-in-law Rieko, granddaughter Anna, sisters Diane Beresford, Lori Contreras and Becky Peabody and numerous nieces and nephews.

His ashes will be released into the Pacific Ocean.

Donald E. Brooks

1943-2007

A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church on Centerville Lane in Gardnerville for Donald E. Brooks, 64, who died at his Gardnerville home Dec. 28, 2007, with his wife Lynn by his side.

A native Nevadan raised in Carson City, Mr. Brooks was born April 24, 1943. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting for upland birds and big game.

As a young man he served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was later a deputy sheriff in Carson City.

Later in his career he owned and operated several businesses including Carson Valley Golf Course, which he retired from in 2002.

In retirement he and his wife enjoyed traveling and their grandchildren

Mr. Brooks is survived his wife Lynn Brooks of Gardnerville; son Tom and wife Manya Brooks of Gardnerville; daughter Kristine and husband Phil of San Diego, Calif.; his sister Marilynn Gish of Reno; as well as three grandchildren Colin, Grace and Aoife.

Arrangements are in the care of Walton's Douglas County Mortuary in Minden. The service will be officiated by Pastor Pete Nelson. Burial will follow in the Eastside Memorial Park. The family requests memorials be made to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.