CHARLES HENRY McFARLIN
April 9, 1953 - September 6, 2018
On September 6, 2018, Charles Henry McFarlin, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 65 in New Orleans, LA after a five-year battle with Corticobasal Degeneration.
Chuck was born on April 9, 1953 in Grand Forks, ND to Robert and Alice-Jean (Brandon) McFarlin. He grew up in St. Louis Park, MN where he developed a passion for basketball and all things mechanical. A favorite story in family lore, Chuck built a motorcycle at age 12 using his bicycle and his dad's lawnmower motor. He stood 6' tall at that age, making it difficult to explain to the officer why he didn't have a driver's license.
He married Cheryl Emery on September 11, 1976. They had two children, Anna and John, of whose accomplishments he was very proud.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota and subsequently taught at Area 916 Vo-Tech in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. From there, Chuck took a position as Director of the Automotive Department at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny, Iowa where he was instrumental in developing programs that won several national awards. He went on to become the Executive Dean of the Advanced Technology Center there and secured multiple large grants that expanded the program across the state. While in Iowa, he earned his master's degree and Ph.D. from Iowa State University where he also served as Associate Professor.
Chuck was a vocal opponent of Midwest winters and consequently moved with his family to Sarasota, FL in 1995. There, his entrepreneurial spirit emerged and he founded and ran Marine Outlet Center, a small boat business, for nearly 20 years.
Among his most rewarding professional accomplishments, he was proud to be able to teach and mentor young motivated mechanics as well as promising future community college presidents.
Chuck loved to race cars, fly small airplanes, and cruise on motorcycles. He was always generous with his time and willing to lend a hand with any friend in need of mechanical advice. When not busy turning wrenches, he enjoyed playing in several basketball leagues, international travel, and talking shop with friends who visited the business. He was passionate about education, work ethic, honesty, attention to detail…and M&M cookies.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Robert, and his mother, Alice-Jean.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cheryl, his two children, Dr. Anna McFarlin Hill (Patrick) and Major John McFarlin (Emily), grandson Carter, his sisters Nancy Diener (Tom) and Judy Murray (Simon), his brother Bob (Kim), and several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.
