Died at age 68 on October 7, in Arcata. Even though he chose the time and day of his death by taking his own life, he also lived more fully than most people and was proud of the long-lasting friendships he’d made from earliest childhood with the “Brett Street” kids.  Chuck was a third generation Humboldt County native, born in Eureka to William “Bill” and Jane Nellist in 1948.  He attended Eureka schools until high school graduation when he began a long series of travels that defined his life until injuries and illness found him settling into his place at Freshwater Lagoon for retirement. 

He lived in California, Alaska, Costa Rica, New Zealand and visited many places in between. His NZ friends John L., Jim and Judith were among the first to know of Chuck’s death; such is the international grapevine for a network of lasting friendships made wherever he traveled.

His passport also shows several trips to Fiji where the island people were ever special to him. Photos document his love of fishing, hunting in Alaska, making new friends in each place, work and leisure projects (usually involving a motor of some kind).  His quirky, dry sense of humor kept most of his family and friends wondering just how serious he really was about the topic of discussion until the glint in his eye gave it away.

His talent of entertaining children was legendary mainly, as he said, because he could understand the mind of a child, having the ability to relate from his own experience.  He patiently taught many children of friends to fish or ride motorcycles as they grew up. He was also good for loose change on the floor of his car or tossed on the deck in case ice cream was called for.

He was a gifted mechanic with an instinct for fine tuning and repairing anything mechanical, from high end racing motors to a music box and had the ability to be very good at whatever he decided to do.

Chuck loved the motorsports races at Laguna Seca, Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point) or Samoa dragstrip.  A good race was good no matter where it was held and he appreciated the dedicated work of all participants from amateur class to racing pros. He often traveled to witness the races in person or, if his health did not permit, he would watch the televised ones.

Those of us who knew him can imagine that a perfect day for Chuck would include making the rounds to see his friends: Bob Freemantle, Lewis Mayfield, Todd Ellingson, Jon Aronson, Sandy Aronson, Ron Wahlund, Jeff Delong, Don Campbell, Glen Liscom, Harold McClary, Greg Brogdon and the many others he touched bases with on special occasions—all of whom shared Chuck’s enjoyment of a good story, target practice, motorcycle or car races, fishing tales (some tall), reminiscing about visiting places in Humboldt County he loved such as Throssel’s cabin on the Mattole, Honeydew, Iaqua Ranch, or Mad River.

He liked looking through a used bookstore for an intriguing book, dog-sitting for friends, battling the ivy at the fence line, putting out tasty morsels in the bird feeder, making hardboiled eggs for the egg-eating raven on his property or calling his daughter just to chat. The Aronson boys loved it when Chuck made his famous beer batter pancakes during the precious times they had together at his Freshwater place.

He was a man who gave more than he got from life in many ways but was always available to anyone in need.  His interests were widely varied with books on physics, birds, photography, travel, medical science, tools and astronomy scattered by his camouflage patterned La-Z-Boy chair.  He also took on the jobs that no one else wanted to do (who likes washing windows?)

Chuck was not without flaws but if he was cranky, he was probably in pain.  We can’t know exactly what caused him to make the final choice that ended his life—he left no answers for us. All that we as survivors can do is share the love that we’d gladly have given him and offer that care to someone who is suffering now.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jane, grandparents Edgar and Fanny Nellist, Bill and Margaret Hockin, and brother Edward Nellist.  He is survived by his daughter Paula Wolf (Darick) of Fremont; cousins Dayton Murray (Sue) Eureka; Mitzi Murray Goodrow (Jerry) Ferndale;  Susan O’Connor (Don); Robin Nellist; John, Edith and Bill Wilson all of Washington,  sister-in-law Linda Nellist, Cutten, and niece Melissa Glass, Oakland.  His friends and the children he helped raise are too numerous to list but be assured that he treasured each one of you. 

A quote from an anonymous source: “…and the hardest part of losing someone isn’t having to say goodbye, but rather learning to live without them; always trying to fill the void, the emptiness that’s left inside your heart when they’re gone.”

We who survive him will miss him always—our time with him was much too brief.  For anyone who knows of a person suffering from depression or severe pain issues, please reach out or offer a listening ear.  The many ways to help are available from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.org   Donations in Chuck’s name are welcomed at AFSP, 120 Wall Street, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10005, or participate locally in the next “Out of the Darkness” walk for prevention.  The Nellist family also appreciates donations to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Court, Eureka CA 95503.

His many friends at the Lagoon will wish Chuck peace in eternal rest at a celebration of his life at a later date.  Private inurnment services for the family to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

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The obituary above was submitted by Chuck Nellist’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.