Charles Sabatke

Charles Arthur Sabatke (76) of Rathdrum, Idaho passed away October 12th, 2019, at his home at Generations Assisted Living. “Chuck” was born on March 5th, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the eldest son of Raymond Sabatke and Ruth Janet Bain.

The family moved to Minnesota where Chuck graduated from Mounds View High School. He earned a BA in social work from the University of Minnesota. Deciding after a brief stint with juvenile corrections that social work was not for him, he found his way to night classes at Control Data Corporation. Six months later, at the top of his class, he embarked on a lifelong computer programming career.

Chuck married Linda Marie Smith on February 22nd, 1967 in Minneapolis. Together they discovered a passion for travel that led them, over many years, from Minnesota to Arlington, Virginia; Brisbane, Australia; Bonn, Germany; Geneva, Illinois and finally Rathdrum, Idaho. They enjoyed car trips and sightseeing of all sorts, especially cultural tours, museums and local beer (the darker the better). But Chuck never lost a love for simple camping and hiking, and volunteered with the Boy Scouts for many years.

Chuck was a lifelong recreational athlete who especially enjoyed swimming, bicycling, skiing, and racket sports. He gave bowling a try, but after a short season donated his ball to a stretch of the Rhine River near Bonn, Germany. He was an avid reader, with interests ranging from history and politics to philosophy and physics.

Chuck is survived by his two sons, Chris and wife Jen of Rathdrum (with grandchildren Soren, Avery and Thayer), and Derek and wife Meghan of Boulder, Colorado (with grandchildren Charlie and Simon). He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Linda and brother Bruce.  He is survived by his brother, Kurt (Barb) and sister-in-law Mary, all of Minneapolis, as well as his stepmother, Ruth Sabatke, of Punta Gorda, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Spokane Public Radio or PBS, both broadcasting services that Chuck utilized and frequently celebrated. The family extends particular thanks to the staff of Generations Assisted Living in Rathdrum for providing Chuck a friendly and helpful home during his final year of life.