Charles Richard Mikesell

Charles Richard Mikesell was born in 1929, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Joseph L. Mikesell and Violet M. McMahan Mikesell.

His father was a pattern-maker and made furniture to support his family. During the depression, his family moved to California in search of better job conditions.

During high-school, he met the love of his life, Joan. They started their family of four boys and one girl. They raised their children outside of Hollywood during the rise of the film industry. Chuck had many stories of how their high school was lucky in that the leaders in the film industry would participate in many stage productions put on by the students, helping with lighting and backdrops.

Chuck started out working in the local Safeway as a checker to support his new family. When the owner told him that his job was more important than schooling, he found a new job at Aerospace as an x-ray technician. This started him on the path to being Quality Engineer in Non-Destructive Testing. Early in his career, he became a leader in the industry for utilizing x-ray technology for testing metals for structural defects. He was involved in the building and testing of rocket engines in the Titan Missile project as well as working on the engines for the Gemini space mission.

In the late 60’s, Chuck moved his family to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he started working for the INEL as a Quality Engineer. Here he focused more on ultrasound technology and became one of the leaders in the industry. He was instrumental in designing and building ultrasonic equipment to do structural testing of difficult-to-access places. He helped design the equipment that assessed the damage in the Three-Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant disaster in the 70’s. This equipment allowed visual inspection of the nuclear reactor where it wasn’t feasible to get a person. Through his long career, he traveled many places and was well-known in the industry.

After Chuck retired, he and his wife traveled to Yuma, Arizona, in the winters and enjoyed many seasons in the RV parks there, as well as many adventures in their motor-home with the local camping club. After Joan passed, Chuck moved to Boise and lived next door to his youngest son, David. His oldest son, Chris, later moved in with him. He spent his remaining years being with family nearby and telling stories of the adventures he had throughout his career.

Chuck passed away peacefully on October, 30, 2026, at the age of 96, almost 97, with family by his side.

He is survived by his sons, Chris Mikesell, Mike Mikesell (Kalee), and David Mikesell (Marie); 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Mikesell, of 67 years (79 years if you count the years since Joan’s passing); and his oldest son Jon Mikesell. He will be greatly missed.

His family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all who have supported us through the end-of-life journey. We also request that in lieu of flowers, please make donations in Chuck’s name to a charity Chuck and Joan have supported for many years: Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) (Native American Heritage Association | nonprofit serving indigenous tribes in South Dakota | Rapid City, SD, USA ) or the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans of America).

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his bride where they will spend eternity together.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.