Charles Jensen
Charles Jensen passed away at the age of 82 on September 11, 2012 in Renton, WA at home surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents Ann and Walter Jensen, and brother, Walter Jensen.
Charles is survived by his wife Joan Jensen with whom he shared 59 years of marriage and his seven children including sons Bill (Sandi) Jensen and Sam Jensen and daughters Linda (Mickey Shattow) Jensen, Carol (Scott) Rose, Marge (Mike) McVeigh, Sarah Jensen, and Betsy (Joe) Pendleton. He was the proud grandfather to Cody and Shana Jensen, Genevieve and Madeleine Shattow, Terra and Max Rose, and Ryan, Jack and Anna Pendleton and great grandfather to Justus and Mason. He is also survived by his brother Warren, his wife Dorothy, and his sister-in-law Joyce Jensen.
Charles was born in Duluth, Minnesota on June 24, 1930. After graduating from Duluth Central High School, he entered the Navy. Following his service, he attended the University of Minnesota and then later attended Purdue University for his Masters in Electrical Engineering. During his career, he worked mainly at the Bendix Corporation in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Boeing in Seattle, Washington with a focus on communication systems. His projects included the radio designs for the first experimental moon landing and for the lunar rovers on subsequent Apollo missions and work on the communication systems for Air Force One and on the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). He also worked at Peach Mountain Radio Observatory doing Radio Astronomy where he studied pulsars, quasars, and sun spots and storms for the University of Michigan. One of his favorite experiences was working abroad for the Boeing Company, where he and Joan spent two years living near Stuttgart, Germany. After his retirement in 1991, he and Joan enjoyed several trips to Europe and South and Central America including a cruise along the Panama Canal. His brothers Walter and Warren and their wives accompanied them on many of the trips.
Charles was known for his integrity, intelligence, strong work ethic and sense of humor. He enjoyed being a tease and matching wit with family and friends. He excelled at cards and games, including bridge, backgammon, cribbage, and euchre and spent many hours playing with family and friends. While living in Ann Arbor, MI, he was a member of the Tri-County Terriers and played euchre competitively. His passions included woodworking, gardening and “puttering around the house”, but mostly he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was proud of his family and enjoyed their successes and was always ready to lend a helping hand whenever he could. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service for Charles will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery at 11:00 am on Friday, October 5, 2012. This will be followed by a “Celebration of Life” at The Barrel Room at Vino at the Landing (800 North 10th Place, Suite E, Renton) from 1 – 3 pm.
Remembrances can be made to the King County Parks Legacy Program in honor of the many hours Charles and Joan spent walking along the Cedar River Trail in Renton.