Charles Michael Scharn

After graduation from high school, Charles joined the Army where he was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas during the Vietnam War. Charles was a member of the 2nd Armored division known as "Hell on Wheels" and was a valued member of his unit- as the medic, rifleman, and award-winning sharpshooter.

When Charles left the military, he worked as a coppersmith at Gregorian Copper for five years. His love for copper work can still be seen in his present-day home. He had a passion for service throughout his life and this led him to pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy, receiving his Bachelor of Science from San Jose State University -- where he serendipitously met Janice Marguerite Scharn in 1967. The day the professor was making the seating chart Janice made sure she was sitting by Charles' side, a place she would sit for the next 52 years as his devoted wife and mother to his children.

Upon graduation, he began clinical residency at Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco, California and Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downy, California, and Janice would brave the train just to see Charles during a time in which women often avoided public transportation.

Charles proposed just before departing to take residency at a clinic yet further away during Janice's senior year at San Jose State. Janice's good friend Alma told Charles that he better put a ring on her finger before another man might beat him to it. Charles proposed to Janice in her apartment in San Jose after dinner with her roommates. They celebrated their proposal in the historical Japanese Tea Garden. Charles then left Janice to finish school at San Jose while he moved to Brentwood, California to complete his clinical hours at Brentwood Veterans' Hospital.

Charles left such an impression that he was hired on once his hours were completed. Charles first official job as an Occupational Therapist was giving back to the same community of brothers that he served with in the military.

Charles was given permission to marry Janice from her parents, Stuart Frank Svedeman and Helen Marguerite (Erickson) Svedeman, after she graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Janice and Charles married on May 4, 1968 at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in San Jose, California. They celebrated their union with family at the historical Los Alto Hills Country Club where they danced to True Love by Bing Cosby. After they wed Charles and Janice drove down the California coast determined to visit every Spanish Mission along the coast.

Soon afterward, Charles received a scholarship to USC to complete his Masters in Occupational Therapy. Charles and Janice then began a new journey in Nevada where they both obtained jobs at UMC in Las Vegas, Nevada. Charles was the head of the first ever Occupational Therapy Department at UMC. Janice became the Lead Occupational Therapist in Charles' department. They worked as they lived --together.

In the spring of 1976, Janice and Charles found out they were pregnant with their first son Eric Michael Scharn who was born on February 3rd, 1977. After Eric was born Janice and Charles regularly brought Eric with them to work and felt blessed to share so much time together as a family. Charles was happy to be starting a family coming from a large family himself with Janice.

On June 24, 1983 Janice and Charles welcomed their second child, a daughter, who Charles named Lisa Marie Scharn. When Lisa was two months old, Charles was diagnosed with cancer. Charles went through chemotherapy all while never missing a day of work and being a present loving father. Charles won his battle with cancer and Janice and Charles welcomed a third child on July 30, 1986. This baby was an unexpected surprised but one that was so

welcomed and loved; they named him Ryan Matthew Scharn.

Charles continues to have success in his career winning numerous awards and even working in the private sector with Janice. Soon came time for Charles to retire. Charles spent his retirement with his family and pets. Ranging from 16 tortoises to numerous cats and a dog named Kaiser. Janice and Charles had a happy and lively home that was Charles' favorite place to be. Charles enjoyed drinking coffee on the porch, chasing rabbits off the lawn, or working in the garage on "garage math." He taught his son Eric to tie his first tie, Lisa to season and cook a steak properly, and spent time with Ryan drawing.

Charles is survived by his wife Janice, his children: Eric; Lisa and her husband David; Ryan and his wife Amanda. He is also survived by siblings Marilyn, Dorothy, and Richard. Charles is a grandparent of four grandchildren-Addison, Roman, Sabrina, and Arianna. We know that Charles is watching lovingly over his beautiful growing family who loves him so completely. We love you forever Chuck.