Charles Wilford Bytheway, age 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 19, 2015 at his daughter Colette's home in South Jordan due to age related conditions. He was born on February 13, 1926 in Salt Lake City to Henry Kendrick Bytheway and Mercy Rebecca Hill.
Charles attended Jordan High School, spent 2 years in the US Navy and also served an LDS Mission in New Zealand. He married Frieda Sophie Duehlmeier on May 25, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple by Harold B Lee. Charles and Frieda had 6 children: Rebecca, Charles H (Carmela, Cheri), Jay (Mary), Colette Harmer (Ron), Michele Lee (Martin), Danette Crawford (Todd). He also has 23 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren which he adored. The Grandchildren are: Christopher Bytheway, Janae Orr, Chelle Bytheway, Jaron Bytheway, Daniel Bytheway, Chauntelle Janzer, Rachel Musil, Kimberly Ward, Emily Bytheway, Jacob Harmer, Josh Harmer, Becca Harmer, Katrina Harmer, Jared Harmer, Olivia Harmer, Spencer Lee, Trevor Lee, Austin Lee, Brittany Lee, Tyler Crawford, Parker Crawford, Natalie Crawford, and Ryan Crawford.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree (1952) and Master of Science degree (1961) from the University of Utah in Mechanical Engineering. He also received his Value Engineering certificate (1960) from the University of California. He worked in the Defense division as a Mechanical Engineer and Value Specialist for Sperry Rand also known as Sperry Univac and Unisys. He received the Lawrence D Miles Award (which is the highest award in the Value engineering field) for his creative development of "The FAST Diagram", a problem solving value engineering technique which is now used worldwide. He was recommended to be on President Ronald Reagan's panel of experts to control runaway government spending, called the Private Sector Survey on Cost Control. After retiring from Unisys he taught classes for Salt Lake Community College and started their mechanical engineering department, becoming an associate professor over that department.
Before being hired by Sperry Rand Corporation, he designed heating and air conditioning systems for homes and businesses for Lennox Industries Inc. and designed underground mining equipment for EIMCO Corporation. While working for Sperry Rand, he designed a turret for a 62mm gatling gun during the Vietnam War, worked on grenade launchers and missile systems and conducted the first value engineering seminar within the corporation in 1960. He invented the fiber optic light pen and aided in the developing of a new solar panel design. He was the configuration manager for DDR, ARTS III, NAVAIR, the Navy's LAMPS program and several other military programs. Until retiring in 1981, Charles served as the Director of Value Engineering in Salt Lake City. He is a Certified Value Specialist (CVS) and a Fellow with SAVE International. As President of Functional Research he worked with a team who performed value engineering consulting on new construction for the Universities of California at Berkley, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Charles lived a life of service in his community and Church. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Charles served faithfully in many callings. He served in several bishoprics, in the Stake YM's Presidency, and on the high council, and most recently as Ward mission leader. He accepted all callings that were extended to him and taught his children to do the same. He also served as a veil worker in the Salt Lake Temple for many years. He served a senior service mission for LDS Business College as well. He performed quiet service for countless people over and beyond his callings in the church. He is an author of 2 published books, "FAST Creativity and Innovation" and "The Original Four Gospels Chronologically Combined into a Single Text". He was also in the process of writing another faith promoting book prior to his death he called "Increase my faith and understanding". His interest in designing, building, and experience in carpentry working with his brother in law Henry Duehlmeier building homes, during his university years led him to design and built two of his own homes.
He was preceded in death by his wife Frieda, daughter Rebecca, daughter in-law Carmela and his brothers: Leroy, Ronald, Glendon, Mervin, Quintin, Ralph, and his sister Elva. Survived by his brother Alvin and sister Darlene.
Thank you to the IHC Hospice team and Cheri Cannon the hospice aide for helping Charles to be comfortable during his last months on earth. A special thank you to Janae Orr, Nathan Orr, and Chris Bytheway (grandchildren) for taking good care of Charles (and Frieda up until her passing) and his yard for the past year.
A viewing will be held Sunday August 23, from 6-8 pm at the LDS Cannon Stake Center 934 Fremont Ave (1100 South) Salt Lake City, and prior to the services on Monday 10:00-11:15 am at the same location. Funeral services will follow at 11:30am. The Interment will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens 3:00pm (1950 East 10600 South) after a luncheon for the family.
