Charles L. Daleseide – Fergus Falls, MN

Charles L. Dalseide died the 28th of September 2024, at the age of 80 after a short time on Hospice. The Dalseides were members of the far-flung and eminent Brekhus family, originating near Bergen, Norway. Charlie grew up on an off-grid stock farm about 600 miles north of Billings, Montana. He enjoyed his grandparents, uncles and aunts, and cousins. He spent time enjoying the outdoors and nature. He became a compulsive reader and consumed books from lending libraries at school and by mail. In 1956, the family moved to rural Fergus Falls, where they established a beef cattle business. Charles was active in Dane Prairie 4-H and served as Secretary and President. He attended Fergus Falls Junior College and studied Drafting, Math and German. He then transferred to the U of M Institute of Technology where he studied to be a Mechanical Engineer. His first job was with the drafting department of Allis Chalmers Construction Equip-ment Division in Springfield, Illinois. As it turned out, a summer course in computer programming and an evening class in Numerical Analysis had the most impact on his future work. He then continued his career at the Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant (NIROP) in Minneapolis, MN. Over a period of 32 years, he became an expert in Naval gunnery. He traveled on assignments to various places within the US. His work usually involved US Navy projects, but he also got assigned to US and British ground forces equipment. He received a Letter of Recognition from a 3-Star Admiral. At the time of his retirement, he had been a power transmission design and analysis engineer. He specialized in high-performance hydro-mechanisms and precision gearing. Charlie wrote and maintained engineering design standards for fasteners and gears to be incorporated into the US Navy Sea Systems. His professional affiliations included licensed Minnesota Professional Engineer and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He also had memberships in the Society for Industrial Archeology and the Society for the History of Technology. Charlie never forgot the rural farm life that he grew up with and therefore bought a hobby farm near Dalton MN for his retirement home. As much as health permitted, he carried on. He particularly enjoyed the company of his Siberian Husky, Dingo, who never tired of returning to “our” house after a drive. Charlie was a regular customer of Big Chief, and enjoyed the visits with neighbors and the pleasant good humor of the waitresses. Charlie was active in the Lake Region Pioneer Thresherman’s Association. He was big into Massey Harris and was enthusiastic about the Decauville Narrow Gauge Railway. He was also a member of the Minnesota Citroens, the Durant Family Register and the REO Club. He was a member of the Sons of Norway and enjoyed his Norwegian roots and culture. He stayed pretty close to Dalton but spent several vacations on the Oregon coast. Charles is survived by his three siblings and their families. A celebration of life will be Saturday, October 19 at 2 p.m. at the Broen Memorial Home Chapel, 824 Sheridan St #3022, Fergus Falls, MN