Charles E. Siljeg Obituary (1982

Charles Edward SILJEG May 2, 1933 - October 9, 2011 After a long and courageous battle with colon cancer, he went home to God. Charles was born in Aberdeen, Washington to George Siljeg and Jessie Hathaway, the youngest of four children. He graduated from Weatherwax Senior High School in 1950. He joined the U.S. Navy, with his parents' permission, at the age of 17. He went on a Westpac Tour, stationed on the aircraft carrier, USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), and saw the Pacific, including Korea during the conflict. He was honorably discharged on February 1, 1954. He enjoyed attending his ship's reunions all over the country. He attended Grays Harbor College for one year. In 1955 he began his studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, where he graduated from law school May 28, 1960. Charles was a drummer and played all through school. Music remained an important part of his life even if his law career did not allow him to pick up the sticks very often. Charles met his wife, Rojean, on a blind date, Valentine's Day 1960. One week later, they were engaged to be married. They were married on July 30, 1960 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Spokane. They had four children. He clerked for Supreme Court Judge Robert Ott in Olympia for one year, and then spent two years as an Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General John J. O'Connell. In 1963 he joined the Seattle law firm, Aiken, St. Louis and Steere, which later became Aiken, St. Louis and Siljeg. He had an interesting and varied career in which he met and worked with a wide range of people from Henry Kissinger to Evil Knievel. Nonetheless, Charles never forgot his modest roots. He treated everyone with the same respect; it didn't matter if you were a janitor or a dignitary. He leaves behind a wide and varied group of friends who will miss him. He sat on several boards, including the North American Soccer League, Waldo General Hospital, O'Dea High School, the Native American Tribal Council, and was a past President of the Seattle Serra Club. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his two brothers, Joseph (died in infancy) and Robert. He is survived by his wife, Rojean (Thompson); daughter, Deborah (Regan); sons, Mark, Brad and Brian; his sister, Marjorie (Agostini) of Richmond, California; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday, October 14, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at Hoffner, Fisher and Harvey Chapel Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 15, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 1240 N. E. 127th St., Seattle, reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to Providence Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, O'Dea High School or any charity of your choice.