We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Charles “Chuck” Faust, of St. Paul, Minn., on November 14, 2018, at the age of 89.
Charles was born in Warren, Minnesota on September 12, 1929, to Eileen Herron and Frederick Faust. He grew up in Thief River Falls and Minneapolis eventually earning a BA in history at The College of St. Thomas followed by an MA in history from the U of M.
Chuck and Helen Ann Mcleer were married in 1954 and moved directly to Fort Riley in Kansas where he served as a teacher eventually earning the rank of corporal.
Eventually, Charles and Helen settled in Brooklyn Park to raise a family. Charles taught social studies/ history at Anoka Senior High. As a teacher, he had a reputation for trying new/experimental (and sometimes controversial) teaching methods that were enthusiastically embraced by his students during the ’70s and ’80s. He earned another MA in Library Science/Educational Media, built a TV/radio production studio at the school and devoted the remainder of his 32-year career to mentoring students in this alternative learning program.
Charles always worked a second job to make ends meet. He drove a forklift at Hamm’s Brewery, worked at a plastics factory and an audio hi-fi store, but eventually settled on painting/ paper hanging, which he did for over 20 years.
Handy and a creative problem solver, his children grew up believing he could do anything. With his sweat equity and Helen’s avant-garde decor schemes, their house was the envy of the neighborhood. In 1993, after years of searching, Chuck and Helen finally found a cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior to call their own near Hovland. Together they built a wonderful little retirement paradise that family and friends enjoyed for 24 years.
Chuck was a loyal and devoted husband, father and grandfather, steadfast and unwavering in his presence and purpose. He felt blessed he had managed to get to 89 in spite of all the “used parts” and in his words “was ready to go home.”
God bless and keep our beloved Charles whom we hold ever close to our hearts. May his memory and the life he lived be the beacon leading us to our better selves. He is survived by his wife, Helen Faust of St. Paul; son, Christopher Faust; sister-in-law, Diane Rumsey; and nephew, Chad Faust of St. Paul; son, Matthew Faust of Wenatchee, Wash.; and daughter, Lisa Faust of Portland Ore.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Willwersheid West- Heights Chapel, 235 Wentworth Ave W., West St. Paul, 55118.
Burial was held at Fort Snelling, Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m.
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