San Bernardino County Obituaries

Charles Edward Wiest, Sr.

Submitted by Peggy Hooper 23 Mar 2008

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"Big Bear Grizzly"; Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Charles Edward Wiest, Sr. 
85, passed Feb. 10, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif. Born Dec. 5, 1922, 
in Needles, Calif., Chuck was a former and very active resident of Big Bear Valley for 22 years.

When he was five, the family moved to Hermosa Beach, Calif. He graduated from Susan M. Dorsey 
High School in Los Angeles. After high school, he worked at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. from 1941-1943, 
where he helped assemble aircraft. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1945 in the Pacific Theatre, 
as an Aviation Metalsmith 2nd Class.

In March 1946, Chuck joined the Los Angeles County Department of Forester and Fire Warden as a 
forest fireman. This department later merged with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, where 
Chuck was eventually promoted to captain. He was active in the local, state and national firefighter 
organizations, and served as secretary, treasurer, vice-president and president of Fire Fighters Local 
1014, International Association of Fire Fighters, and later vice-president of the IAFF state organization. 
He formally retired in March 1978 after 32 years of service. In retirement, Chuck and Virginia moved to 
Big Bear Lake in 1985.

Chuck became a member of the Free and Accepted Masons in 1946, and became a 32nd Degree Mason 
in the Los Angeles Scottish Rite in 1968. On moving to Big Bear Lake, he affiliated with Big Bear Lodge 
617 in 1986, where he was elected Worshipful Master in 1992. He served as secretary from 1993-1997. 
He was elected to the Big Bear Temple Association Board in 1988, and served as secretary and president. 
He received the Hiram Award in 1993.

He joined Henry S. Orme Chapter 492, Order of the Eastern Star, in 1956. He served in various appointed 
stations, and as Worthy Patron in 1959, 1970, and 1982, as well as on various Chapter and Grand 
Chapter committees. He affiliated with Big Bear Chapter 485 in 1986, and served as Worthy Patron in 
1987, 2007 and 2008. He received the 50 Year Life Membership in the Order in 2006.
 
Chuck became a member of the Al Malaikah Shrine in Los Angeles in 1968. He was a member of the 
Stage Craft Unit for 15 years, and served as secretary-treasurer, captain and president. He was 
Director of the Temple in 1979, served as ticket chairman for the Shrine Circus and football game, 
and managing director of the Shrine All-Star Football Classic for three years. In 1982, he received a 
Life Membership in Temple for services rendered. He was a member of the South Bay Shrine Club, 
and became a member of the Big Bear Lake Shrine Club in 1988, where he served as secretary and 
president. He served as region director of Shrine Clubs for four years. He was a charter member of 
the Big Bear Club #638, High Twelve International, in 1985, and served as its president in 1990 and 
1996.

He is survived by his wife Virginia; son, Charles Jr. (Gamile) of Garden Grove, Calif.; daughter, Nancy 
(Brian) of Bothell, Wash.; son, John (Cathy) of Portland, Ore.; nine grandchildren and eight great 
grandchildren.

Services were held Feb. 17, at the Big Bear Masonic Lodge, Big Bear Lake, Calif.