Charles "Chuck" Leroy Quinlan

Chuck was born in Hanford, California, in 1934 to Evelyn (Stolliker) and Charlie Quinlan, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 1, 2021. He graduated from Hanford High School in 1952, went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from Cal State Fresno, and continued his studies at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco (now the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry), graduating with a D.D.S. in 1960. Chuck also attended Columbia University Postdoctoral Orthodontics Program and was a practicing orthodontist in Fresno and Oakhurst for nearly 50 years. Chuck was a lifelong member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the Fresno-Madera Dental Society.

Chuck was a humble, loyal man, an incredibly hard worker, and constant learner. He read three newspapers every morning. While practicing orthodontics, he learned the construction trade and built homes and apartment buildings around town. In the early 1980s, he became a self-taught grape farmer and owned and operated several ranches, selling his harvest to some of the world’s most popular wine producers.

A longtime season ticket holder, he could often be seen tailgating at Bulldog football games. Chuck cherished his weekly lunch meetings — one with his dental colleagues at Carrow’s, and one with his farming friends at Lucca’s in Madera. Another favorite pastime was attending the Friday night car races at Madera and Kings Speedways.

Without doubt, his most important role was that of husband, father, and grandfather. Chuck was adored by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren and will be terribly missed. Chuck is survived by his wife, Kirsten; daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Mike Woolf; daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Jason Riley; grandchildren Matt, Patrick, Abby, Henry, Ellen, Matilda, and Beatrice. Chuck is also survived by several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins, including nephew Scott and Peggy Quinlan, and their children; and cousin Bob Mattson. He was predeceased by his parents and brother William “Bill” Quinlan.

The family would like to extend gratitude to the caregivers and staff at Somerford Place, and to the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Agnes Medical Center who cared for him in his final days.

A celebration of life for Chuck will be held at the home of Mike and Shelly Woolf on September 25th, please contact Erin Riley at 916-947-7415 for information.