Obituary of David Boyd Charles

David Boyd Charles was born October 27, 1942. He attended Vallejo CA Senior High School and San Francisco State University, where he completed 'all but theses' toward a PhD in Anthropology. During these years, he was a member of a service fraternity and the Karate Club. He served active duty in the Army for six months, and then was an active reservist for seven years. He was a member to the competition Marksmanship Team and was awarded “Soldier of the Year” for his company. During his reserve years, he taught baking. David worked most of his life as a claims representative for the Social Security Administration. He was the person people talked to when their spouse died, when they had to admit that their child was significantly and permanently disabled, etc. His 'crisis counseling' skills were so excellent that he was routinely given interviews with angry claimants and with people from other cultures. One supervisor described him as “the kindest representative I have ever known.” David was involved in Scouting for over thirty years. Growing up, he was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Sea Scout. He earned the Eagle Scout Award and was an active member of the Order of the Arrow. As an adult, he completed the Wood Badge training and served in almost every possible role, including Cub Master, Troop Leader, Trainer, and Key Three member. David was an adult convert to Christianity, and he was always active in his church, serving as usher, deacon, Sunday school teacher, committee member, and choir member. He was also active in his community, rising to Grand Master in his Masonic Lodge, serving as secretary-treasurer for his Kiwanis Club, and working with other muzzle loaders to get Fort Union ND restored. David died May 30, 2017. He is survived by wife Chansy, son Tavis, and daughter Wendy, all of Minneapolis MN, and by his brother Owen, sister-in-law Dorothy, nephews Owen and Michael, and their families, who all live in the Vallejo CA area.