Charles Owen
Charles (Chuck) William Owen passed away peacefully on 10/31/2022 in Santa Rosa, California. Born in Los Angeles, California on 10/20/1927, he was preceded in death by his parents Charles Elmer Owen and Ella Mary (Dermody) Owen, his first wife, Carol Ann (McLean) Owen and second wife, Helen Irene (Goyeneche) Owen. Charles is survived by his 5 children and their spouses, Ronald, Mary, Kathleen (Alex), Kevin (Kim) and Christine (John), 7 grandchildren and many grand dogs.
Chuck lived a full life, graduating from high school in 1945, attending Loyola University in Los Angeles and graduating from there in 1949. He proceeded to Chicago and attended medical school at Loyola University Chicago, graduating with his MD in 1954. From there he joined the US Air Force, went to Officer’s Training School in Alabama, then served 3 years in England as a GMO on several U.S. Air Force Bases.
While home from medical school in 1951, he met Carol Ann McLean, who was traveling from New Zealand with her mother. Chuck and Carol corresponded for several years. When she visited him in England, he proposed, and they married in London in 1957.
They returned to Southern California, where Chuck did his pediatric residency at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. They began a family in 1960 with the birth of Ron in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Isla Vista, California where he began the first pediatric practice in the Goleta area. His four remaining children were born in Santa Barbara from 1962-1969.
His beloved wife Carol passed away on 1/5/1981. Chuck attended a retreat for widowed Catholics in 1982 where he met Helen Goyneche. Chuck and Helen were married in August 1983. They sold the Owen house in Goleta in 1999 and moved to Carriage Hill, near Hope Ranch. In 2009, they moved to Arizona for 4 years. Then in 2013, upon moving back in Goleta, they lived at Maravilla senior living community. His beloved wife, Helen, passed away on 11/1/2016. Shortly after, Chuck agreed to move up to Santa Rosa, California to live with Ron. Chuck spent his remaining years with his children and grandchildren and first ever dog, Barley, where he was loved and cherished.
Chuck will be remembered for his keen memory (particularly remembering important dates and birthdays), his legendary sweet tooth, his sense of humor, and his love for travel. He was the consummate doctor and friend.
A viewing will be held on Friday, 11/18/22 from 2pm-4pm at Welch Ryce and Haider on Sola Street. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1740 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, California on Saturday, November 19th at 10 am. A burial at Calvary Cemetary in Santa Barbara and reception will follow. His favorite color was blue. We ask those attending to wear something blue in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spark Rescue of Santa Barbara (a dog and cat rescue: sparkrescue.org).