Channing Warren Cathcart

Channing Cathcart passed away at his home in Camp Sherman, following a lingering illness. He was born in Palo Alto, California, and grew up there and in Iowa.

He attended Stanford University, majoring in Aeronautical Engineering, until drafted in the last quarter of his junior year. The army sent him to Oregon State in Civil Engineering, and while on leave he married his high school sweetheart in 1945. After graduation, while serving with the combat engineers, an old high school injury caught up with him and he was discharged.

Chan went to work at Ames Aeronautical in Sunnyvale, California, which became NASA. He later decided he preferred civil engineering after all, and opened his own engineering office in Palo Alto. With their four sons, the family became involved with raising, trail riding, training and showing Morgan Horses. They enjoyed sponsoring a youth horse group.

In 1968 the family moved to Scio, Oregon, bought a farm and raised grass seed, Black Angus cows and Morgans, and enjoyed their grandchildren. They attended Silverton Friends Church and later a home church.

After retiring in 1995, Chan and Martha moved to Camp Sherman, and became involved with local volunteering at Black Butte School, the community association, recycle center and Road District 18. Chan became a member of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District board and served until recently. He and Martha attended Chapel in the Pines.

Chan is survived by his wife, Martha, and son Allen of Camp Sherman; sons Craig, Doug and Scott of Stayton; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m. at the Camp Sherman Community Hall, with a luncheon following.