On September 6, 2020, Charles Lynn Birkinshaw passed away at the age of 88 in Pittsburgh, PA with his daughter by his side.
He was born on August 30, 1932 in Salt Lake City to Charles William Birkinshaw and Emma Williams Birkinshaw, the third of five children. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War. He loved being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in the Samoan Islands. After graduating from the University of Utah, he taught school and fell in love with the other 6th grade teacher across the hall- Connie Deane Hunsaker- the love of his life. They married in the Logan Temple in 1960.
Besides teaching school, Lynn enjoyed a career in printing, along with other business endeavors, but ended up doing what he loved- buying properties to renovate for rental or resale.
Lynn will be remembered as a kind, sweet man of great integrity. He was generous with his time and talents and loved unconditionally. He was an avid historian with the written word but especially through the lens of the camera. He loved tennis, anything of historical nature from books, museums, or landmarks, and eating anything sweet. He walked over 7 miles daily in his retirement years, usually to various libraries.
He was preceded in death by his wife (1995), his parents, his brothers, Richard and Bill, and his sister, Carol Jeanne.
He is survived by his three sons, Charles (Leslie), John (Rashelle), Robert (Mariana) and daughter, Laurie (Tim) Millett; beloved grandchildren Joshua, Grace, Aaron, Estella, Evan and McCall; sister, Marion Clark, and many nephews and nieces.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 11, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Honeyville City Cemetery, 2450 West 6900 North, Honeyville, Utah. Online condolences are welcomed at www.Larkincares.com
Lynn was a wonderful man. We were lucky to have met him, and loved him immediately. We are sorry for your loss dear friends. Sending love and prayers of peace and confort to you his family.
I have very fond memories of the Birkinshaw home on Arcata Lane where Lynn would tutor me on some obscure doctrinal point of Paul the Apostle while Connie tried to get me to appreciate Beverly Sills. I also enjoyed playing a game of ping pong or Monopoly with them. I will miss and remember them both. My heartfelt sympathies to Sol, Laurie and Robert.
I was sorry to read of the passing of Charles and offer my condolences to his family. "Charlie" and I were shipmates on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1953-54 and became very good friends. We jointly conducted LDS Church services onboard the ship each Sunday. Sometimes there were just the two of us but at other times there were as many as eight members and investigators. We went on many "liberties" together during our cruise in the Mediterranean and around South America to Bremerton, Washington. We bicycled together (with three other sailors) from Bremerton to my home in Ashland, Oregon. (Charlie and the other three went on to California.) I have a photo of that bicycling group and would be glad to share this photo and answer any questions any of the family might have about Charles in those days. I ended up being a Professor of German at BYU and am now a sealer in the Provo Temple (whenever it opens again). You can contact me at my email address garoldandnorma@gmail.com or call me at 801-375-6722.
Oh, the memories!
His first year teaching, I think. A brand new Cottonwood Elementary. Handsome, kind, his father in the printing business. Bribery - with pads of colored paper stacked high in the cupboard - to clean a sink, wipe down the blackboard, correct papers, or help stack the chairs at the end of the week. (I love paper!)
Eleven year old girls noticing the twinkle in his eyes when he visited with Miss Hunsaker, just across the hall. An excellent dance instructor, teaching us the polka in the auditorium/lunchroom during the winter when it was too cold to be out. I got to be his partner as we bounced around the room - while the rest of the students (combined with Miss Hunsaker's class) watched.
He let my girlfriend and me rearrange the desks and chairs into groups - almost like we were designing our future living rooms. So kind. So gentlemanly. Only my second "man teacher."
So blessed to have had him in my life and memories.
I am so sorry for your loss. Elder Birkinshaw was one of our fine missionaries in Samoa. My father was his mission president. I remember him well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and loved ones. Alofa tele atu. Moana Stone Coulson
To Laurie, Tim, John, Rashelle, Charles, Leslie, Robert, Mariana, Joshua, Grace, Aaron, Estella, Evan and McCall,
How sad I was to hear of the passing of C Lynn. Please accept my sincere condolences. You had the greatest parents and grandparents possible, and indeed they had the best kids and grandkids! I am envisioning the most beautiful reunion of Connie and C Lynn. Can you imagine? I have lost touch with you all and it’s my bad. Please allow me the honor of reconnecting, when the time is right. Just know I understand your grief and that my heart is with all of you as you mourn this incredible man. Love to you all ~ Alysse