Charles Chuck S Eastgate

After a brief battle with cancer, Charles Summerfield Eastgate, 79, died August 16, 2014, at his home with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20 at McCabe United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Eastgate Funeral Service. Chuck was born August 8, 1935 to James T. and Florence Birdsall Eastgate in Bismarck, ND. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1953, and remained closely connected to his classmates throughout his life. While still in high school, Chuck started washing cars at the funeral home, which led to a life-long career in funeral service. After attending Bismarck Junior College, Chuck matriculated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago in 1957. He returned to Bismarck and resumed working at the funeral home until starting Eastgate Funeral Service in 1981 with his wife Marion. Chuck's work in funeral service was his life's passion; he believed deeply in the merits of funeral service and the comfort it provides families. He maintained a high code of ethics and challenged himself, peers, and successors to continually better themselves. Music was a large part of Chuck's life. As a child he played violin, adding French horn for his High School Band and Orchestra. Later his musical ability and comedic talents enabled him to entertain his colleagues and audiences in North Dakota as part of the Elk's band. In 1978, Chuck's life changed after entering Heartview Treatment Center. Through that transformative experience, he went on to help many others on their journey to recovery. His reliance on his faith helped carry him through challenges in his life and sustained him as he offered counsel to the people around him. At the time of his death, Chuck was celebrating over 36 years of sobriety. Chuck cared deeply for his friends, and considered them family. He and Gary Anderson owned a hunting "lodge" in Mott, North Dakota, and looked forward to hosting their friends each year for opening pheasant season. One of the highlights of his life was traveling the Lewis and Clark trail by sea-plane with close friends Norbert O'Keefe and Chris Welle. He also enjoyed golfing as well as daily coffee time at White Drug and weekly dinners at the Elks Lodge. Among his family and friends, Chuck was known for his keen sense of humor. His quick wit and never ending stream of jokes added to every gathering he attended. Chuck was a member of McCabe United Methodist Church and a member and past president of the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. Chuck served his country in the Army National Guard for several years. He was a member of the Bismarck Historical Society. He also was a long time member of the Elks Lodge. Chuck is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marion Whitman, and three children, Bob Pam; Deb Geoffrey Anderson; and Steve Laura; his sister Joy Eastgate Trent Carey; his eight grandchildren, Melissa Ryan, Kristen Kasey, Dan Lacey, and Tom Heather; Melonie Luke and Devon; Dustin and Zachary Rachel; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Charles Chuck S Eastgate

August 8, 1935 - August 16, 2014