Charles «Chuck» H. Classen, 79, of Portland, Oregon passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 30th, 2015 at Providence Hospital.

Chuck was born on January 8th, 1936 in Portland, Oregon to parents Gertrude and Harry Classen. He attended Vestal Elementary and Benson High School where he learned a love of education. He then attended and graduated from Portland State University and pursued a career as a teacher. He taught for 38 years in the Portland Public School system at both Rose City and Kellogg Schools.

Chuck served in the Air Force Reserves before meeting the love of his life, Joyce «Joy» Lorraine Liska in 1964. They married in March of 1965 and spent the next 50 years building a life together. They had two sons Troy and Rodney and eventually a granddaughter Olivia.

Family was his first love, but Chuck’s second love was cars. He worked his way through college buying, restoring, and selling them, and the passion never left him. Car shows and cruise-ins were his favorite haunts for as long as he was physically able. This love was not limited to vehicles of the four-wheel variety, he also rode and sold motorcycles in the summers when teaching did not dominate his time.

A gregarious man, Chuck never bucked an opportunity to spend time with people. There was nowhere he could go without making a new friend, and these friends were important to him. Those closest to him might joke about his financial frugality, but they know he was generous of spirit. He never hesitated to spend time attending to the relationships that meant the world to him.

Charles was an active member of the St. Rita’s community where he served as an usher for many years and volunteered time fundraising.

In the final years of his life, Chuck fought against an uncooperative body, yet this did not define him. His spirit shone through even when strokes tried to stop it. He remained a strong, loving, proud husband, father, and grandfather until the end.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Joyce «Joy» Classen, his brother Bob Classen (Judy, deceased), his sister Franzeen Nine (Dane), children Troy and Rodney (Jessica), and granddaughter Olivia. A mass will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9th at 10:30 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 10029 NE Prescott St. Portland.