Charles (Chuck) S. Coffey

Charles (Chuck) S. Coffey of Mercer Island, Washington died in his 84th year on December 17, 2010. Chuck was born in Milwaukee, WI on August 6, 1926 and graduated from Shorewood High School in 1944. Upon graduation from high school, Chuck joined the Army Air Corp and served in Italy. After the war, he returned to the Milwaukee area where he became reacquainted with Suzanne Muehleisen, a friend from high school. Their relationship blossomed and Chuck and Suzanne were married on June 2, 1951, the same year that Chuck graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelors of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Immediately following their wedding, Chuck and Suzanne relocated to Seattle where Chuck worked for several engineering firms as well as the Boeing Company. He eventually settled at the Boeing Company and worked there for 30 years. During this time, he used his naval architect skills to design and create hydrofoil boats including the Tucumcari, a military patrol hydrofoil, and the Jetfoil, a passenger-carrying water jet-propelled hydrofoil. In 1973, Chuck was awarded a United States patent for a hydrofoil support arrangement for a hydrofoil boat incorporating a water jet propulsion ducting mechanism for foil-borne and hull borne operations. His hydrofoil boat designs have been used in Hawaii, Hong Kong-Macau, Japan, South Korea, the English Channel, the Canary Islands, the Korea Strait, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Gretchen Coffey of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and his eldest daughter, Catherine M. Coffey of San Francisco, CA. Chuck is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Suzanne, daughter, Patricia S. Coffey and two granddaughters, Aurora Coffey and Oona Coffey of Whidbey Island, son, John F. Coffey of Blaine and brother, Kenneth J. Coffey of Washington DC. Chuck was a gentle and thoughtful husband and father who was much loved. His love for his family and his soft bright spirit will be sorely missed. A private celebration of life is being planned for

family and close friends.

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