Nov. 6, 1929 — Dec. 9, 2019

Charles Lee Stimmel, 90, of Paso Robles, was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Bakersfield, Calif., to Mr. and Mrs. Adna Lee and Edna Bennett Stimmel.

While living briefly in Kettleman Hills and Bakersfield, he was raised mainly in Avenal, Calif., along with his younger brother Bruce (Boots) Stimmel with whom their parents shared their love for the outdoors during many family camping trips to Yosemite and the Sierras. Chuck was very involved in Boy Scouts as a youth and carried on that involvement to his sons as their Scout Master.

Chuck began his studies at Fullerton City College then transferred to UC Berkeley School of Engineering. While attending Berkeley, he rented a small backyard studio apartment from, unbeknownst to him at the time, his future father-in-law as he soon met the love of his life Adelaide (Babs) Dolores Michelbook and shortly after, they became engaged. Although he had a student deferment, he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War, while his only brother Boots was already serving in the Marines. After boot camp training at Fort Ord, and then Camp Roberts, he served as a surveyor in the Philippine Islands. Upon returning from the Philippines in early 1954, Chuck then continued his military service another 6 years in the Army Reserve out of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Chuck married the love of his life, Babs, on Feb. 11, 1954, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oakland, Calif. He also returned to complete his college studies at UC Berkeley. In June 1956, Chuck graduated from UC Berkeley with a mechanical engineering degree and spent all of his 35-plus year career as a Petroleum Engineer/Drilling Supervisor for Mobil Oil.

Inspired by Babs’ strong faith in God, Chuck converted to Catholicism, which he followed the rest of his life devoutly.

Chuck and Babs were married over 65 years and were blessed with six children, 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Chuck’s career with Mobil Oil required a few relocations with his most prolonged assignment as a drilling supervisor at the San Ardo field, which allowed settling of the family in Paso Robles. Chuck also took on several long-term job assignments, including the Santa Barbara Channel, Gulf of Mexico, Alaskan North Slope, Saudi Arabia and Norway, where he spent two years as lead drilling supervisor on one of the world’s largest offshore drilling/production platforms at the time in the North Sea.

After retiring back to Paso Robles, Chuck and Babs enjoyed spending the next 20-plus years traveling across the United States and Canada in their motorhome with friends, family and RV clubs. Just before his death, Chuck celebrated his 90th birthday with many family members. He died peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 9, 2019.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Adna and Edna, brother Boots and his daughter Shirlee, and granddaughter Margaret Malloy. He is survived by his wife Babs and their children along with their spouses: Kathleen (Patrick Malloy), Michael (Donna), Edward (Janese), Carl (Opal), Dolores “Dee” (Steven Kelly), and Daniel (Melissa) and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass and reception to celebrate Chuck’s life will be at St. Rose of Lima Church, 820 Creston Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446 at 1 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St Rose Catholic School.

Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, 831-385-5400, EFS-Cares.com.