Charles Dwight Vander Wilt, beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully at home on January 10, surrounded by the love of his family. Chas was optimistic, gregarious and funny. His final years confirmed his favorite quote from 'Dumb and Dumber' - ‘Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose!’
Chas was born in Sully, Iowa on June 30, 1951. He had an idyllic childhood with his brother and three sisters - playing ball with friends, lighting the family barn on fire at the age of five, and helping his dad on his milk route. He enjoyed having free reign from dawn until dusk, helping himself to fruit from his neighbors’ gardens, and swimming in the pond. Chas loved sports of all kinds. His proudest athletic achievements were sinking Bobo the clown at the Iowa State Fair (again and again … and again), and the 29 touchdowns he scored playing intramural football at Taylor University.
It was at Taylor that he met Jenny Noreen (Jennifer), his ‘shy admirer’ and future wife. They lived happily together in Des Moines, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; and ultimately Sandy, Utah. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters and enjoyed the happiest times of their lives – planning and taking family vacations, Go-Karting as competitively as possible, playing church basketball and softball, and spending hours around the dinner table telling stories and jokes. He joked that our family was so close, we could fit into a hula hoop. His wit, optimism, and enthusiasm made even mundane activities fun.
Chas enjoyed a wonderful career in the window industry. He and his loyal business partner, Lou, established a successful company, Contractor’s Window Supply. Chas joked that his ‘second-longest relationship with a woman’ was with his faithful bookkeeper, Arloween. Chas was known for his integrity, work ethic and long hours – yet he always had time for phone calls from his wife and daughters.
Far from bored as empty-nesters, Chas and Jennifer enjoyed Jazz games, U of U football games, plays and musicals, Bible studies, reading, golf at Hidden Valley Country Club, dinner with friends, and perhaps most thrilling of all – watching BYU lose. They traveled to all 50 states and numerous countries and continents. There was not much Chas loved more than being on safari in Kenya - standing the entire time, using binoculars and spotting animals before the guides! But his travel priority was always visiting Emily and Whitney, wherever they happened to be.
One of Chas’ greatest joys was being ‘Grandpa’ to his five precious grandchildren. He loved playing hide-and-seek and catch in the backyard, going on rides in his red convertible and ‘safari’ on the golf course, treating the ‘kiddos’ to ice cream cones and dinners out, and attending their games and events. He was adored by his grandchildren, who showered him with Peeps, attention, and affection.
Chas was a longtime member of the Evangelical Free Church of Salt Lake City, and formerly The Rock Church and Grace Community Bible Church. He was a born-again Christian, whose faith in Jesus Christ especially deepened in the past several years - reading the entire Bible twice and growing through his men’s Bible Studies.
Chas was diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia last January and died unexpectedly from complications of pneumonia. He patiently endured his disease with dignity and courage, and Jennifer lovingly cared for him at home until the end. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary this June. Our hearts are broken from losing Chas, but we are thankful for the wonderful years that we had with him. We rejoice that he is now healthy and whole with God and look forward to being with him again in Heaven.
Chas was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Ruth Vander Wilt, and dear sister, Charlotte Christensen. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jennifer; two cherished daughters Emily (Ethan) and Whitney (Joe); five beloved grandchildren (Luca, Evangeline, Christian, Caroline and Zara); three loving siblings (Philip, Martha and Mary Ellen) and their spouses (and brother-in-law Maury); caring nieces and nephews; and many faithful friends.
Chas impacted countless people in his life and was so loved. We will miss him forever.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake in memory of Chas, who always showed compassion toward the ‘least of these.’
My Condolences
I feel privileged to have counted Chas among my friends. We enjoyed many years of sweet fellowship together at Grace Community Bible Church, where I also developed a deep friendship with Jennifer.
Please know your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Much love to all of you, Jan
Dear Jennifer,
I am so sorry for your loss, Chas was one of my favorites for sure. I am grateful to have known him and be friends in the industry for nearly 40 years.
Thanks to you & Mark, we were able to have lunch together just a few weeks ago, we told some fun stories and shared memories gone by. I will hold that day as a treasured memory now.
All the best to you and your family.....
It was probably your first time in Africa, It was the first time we met through your beautiful inside-out daughter, Whitney. You wanted to do everything to help me, you tried everything. You were a kind-hearted man of God. Your words then are still fresh in my memory. It was a privilege and a blessing to know you as Whitne's dad,
You have left all your loved ones behind to join your heavenly father where we will see you again, no more pain on the body, but there is the pain of losing you.
May the words of Jesus, the peace, not as the world gives but as it ought to be and his comforting words become true in the lives of the loved ones you left behind.
RIP Mr. Vander Wilt
Habtu you friend from Ethiopia, Africa.
My sympathies to the family. I worked with Chas at Massey Ferguson in Des Moines and he was always a bright and positive person. I also remember him as a very good tennis player. He will be missed
We had so many great times with Chaz in the golfing group at Hidden Valley. He always had a smile on his face and loved life and his family. Always enjoyed spending time with him - he shall be missed..
Our heartfelt condolences to Jennifer and family.
Dear Jennifer and family,
Joan and I are in total shock and sadness over Chas’ passing. We had no idea he was ill. Chas had a profound impact on our lives. Our prayers are with all of your family! Much love!
Paul & Joan
Jennifer and Team Vanderwilt. We were very sorry and almost angry to hear of Chas's passing. Life was taken from you all too soon. Knowing that Chas's illness was short and that he is now in a better place makes the anger part less hurtful. God bless the family and thank you for the chance to know you all. Love. Tim and Karen
Chas was my dear friend from our days at Taylor University. Along with his roommate Tim Reitdorf from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dick Hill and Dale Osberg from Chicago and Bob Lewis from Pittsburgh, we developed and maintained a close and caring friendship with Chas for over 50 years. The nickname of sport teams we participated in during college was “The Brotherhood” which depicted the close relationships we developed and maintained. Tim even travelled with Chas to Africa and elsewhere, considering Chas as close as a real brother. We all did. Our group returned to Taylor for homecoming a couple of times over the past five or six years to catch up and have fun remembering our past deeds and misdeeds! Chas was something of “The Brotherhood” historian and remembered even the most minute of details. We never ran out of things to discuss and it’s hard to imagine not being able to pick up the phone and call our old friend. Chas you will be greatly missed but always present in our hearts! RIP. Bob Maxwell on behalf of Tim, Dale, Dick and Bob Lewis.
Jennifer,
Gone too soon. I regret that I didn't have the opportunity to know Chas better and spend more time with you both. Linda's and my friendship with you and Chas while you lived in Boise is remembered fondly. Too many years ago when we were just getting started on our lives here, Chas was a positive influence and a good friend who was supportive when life was challenging. To me, Chas was special and it was a privilege to know him for a too brief a time. I am sure he will live on in the love that you and your family have for him. God bless.
Roger Foster
Dearest Jennifer and family,
What a joy it has always been to see your precious and caring smiles at Grace Community. Words are hard to describe the sadness Mike and I feel learning Chas has passed from this earth. Knowing he is with our Lord and Savior is comforting, but how he will be missed. Our prayer is for God’s Amazing Grace to carry you, Jennifer, and all your family through this painful time of grief. We love you.
Dear Jennifer and family,
We were saddened to hear of Chas’ passing.
We moved to Utah in the fall of 1990 and started attending the Evangelical Free Church of Salt Lake City. You and Chas hosted a newcomers social at your house in early 1991. You both made us feel very much at home.
Chas was kind enough to offer me a job at his company, Contractors Window Supply, in late 1994. I was a new father and somewhat under employed at the time. I enjoyed working there for approximately a year and a half. I remember Chas as a whirlwind of energy/activity.
Over the years, I had the pleasure of running into him several times at the local grocery store. He always had a warm and welcoming smile.
We pray that God will comfort you during this time, and hold fast to the promise that as believers, we will see him again.
IN HIS LOVE,
Dave & Jennifer Miller
We smiled as we read the intimate comments the family has written about Chas. What a fun guy. He always had a smile and greeting when we saw him. We called him out of the blue a few years ago when we were building our house in Mesquite, and he gladly offered his expert advice. We remember him as an actor in one of the church musical programs with Whitney. Ironically, I think it was "A Christmas to Remember." He will be missed by so many.
Oh Jennifer, Emily, and Family!! Know you are pressing in deeply to your Lord’s side!! Our eternal hope and reunion, praise Him!!! Hugs and definite prayers! Steve, Sheryl, and Charity Geoghan. Proverbs 30:5
Jennifer and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Words fail at times like this, but know we send condolences. I (Linda) always appreciated Chas’ support in ministry.
God bless,
Linda
We are heartbroken for your family. We so enjoyed getting to know your dad over the years from when we all were young, married couples moving into growing our families. Your parents were both such support to us in our adoption, and their love for Africa contagious. I remember many evenings coming to their house to dine, chat and all together enjoy the children that we had always dreamed of. Your dad was such a proud Grandfather, Father, Husband. What a beautiful legacy he has left. The imprints of his love are evident all over your lives.
We are praying for your family as you walk through this grief.
Love you- Cale, Kim, Amara, Eli
Dear Jennifer, we are so saddened by your loss, our loss, everyone who know’s Chas loss. He will be missed. We are praying for you, that would experience God’s presence and comfort. We love you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Bob & Barbara Francis
We Loved hearing all about the exciting Travel Adventures with Jennifer and Chaz.
He was full of knowledge and a great deal of fun.
We were blessed to share his expert advice of a wide range of travel.
We send our LOVE to Jennifer and the family
Always
Much Love, Shawna and Cheryl
I had written a short tribute to Chas that I was going to present at his celebration but instead just went with an impromptu of a few memories I had of him.
I would like to offer what I had written:
Chas,
Thank you for all the years of professional partnership and personal friendship.
You helped transform me in so many ways.
~ You were always optimistic, no matter the situation.
~ You helped me understand perseverance when I might have given up.
~ You helped me believe that success was truly attainable, no matter how difficult.
~ You made me laugh when I was down.
You also made me walk further that I ever wanted to. You always thought we could get there on foot when all I really wanted was a cab.
You were a true leader and mentor and always had a way of making the best of things.
Your humor and lightheartedness are what always come to mind when I think of you.
You always talked lovingly about your family. So many times, you would answer the phone with "Hi Kiddo" and I knew it was Emily or Whitney. You were so proud of your daughters and always spoke highly of Jennifer. And boy, were you happy having grandkids!
I will always smile when I think of you.
Jennifer & Family,
Through being an Architect in Park City, I had the pleasure of meeting Chas & Lou for window related issues in the late 1980s. As I am sure, I was not the only one who met Chas on a business level and became a friend in the process. Chas always had a smile and a witty answer to any question and it was just so enjoyable to be around him. My greatest memories are his entertaining the crowd at my 50th birthday party and our “window” trip to Italy organized & funded by Contractor’s Window Supply. There wasn’t a lot of window information, but certainly a huge amount of fun that was had by all! Chas & Jennifer were the cultural guides on the trip and it was spectacular. Chas really seemed to care about the people he interacted with and he loved his family dearly. We will all miss him and his humor. I am not going to be able to be at the gathering on Sunday, but know there will be many great stories and much laughter in the room as Chas’s life is recounted.
Much love to all
Rick Otto
What a beautiful tribute to Chas as you captured his life and spirit in the words of his obituary. I am one of the classmates from the class of 69 who will remember our growing up together years and the energy and laughter and light he brought to any adventure. My sincere condolences, Jennifer and family. He will be sorely missed.
I was saddened to hear of Chas' passing. He and my father started out as business colleagues but ended as very good friends. Chas was always a pleasure to work with and I am honored to say I knew him. My sincere condolences go out to his family whom he always spoke so highly of. Chas, you will be missed by many!
Kim Akey-Halula