Chuck Mawhinney

Charles Benjamin Mawhinney was born on February 23, 1949, in Lakeview, OR, to Charles P. Mawhinney and Beulah V. Franz Mawhinney. His sister Veronica was born on January 15, 1946, in Klamath Falls, OR. The family lived in New Pine Creek, OR. They moved to Lakeview about the time Charlie started school. As a child, he was always in the outdoors, honing his skills in hunting, fishing, and scavenging for any other trouble he could get into. Charlie had a knack for adventure, not limited to motorcycles, cars, a plane, and guns.
At 14, Charlie would ride his bicycle to the airport to begin taking flying lessons, and he received his pilot’s license at the age of 15. While working in high school, he bought into a partnership of a Taylor Craft airplane. He and his friend Dennis would have many wild flights while searching for small game to shoot at from the aircraft. Valuable lessons were learned from this. After graduation from Lakeview High School Charlie’s intention was to join the Navy and become a pilot. The Marine Corps offered him a four-month delayed entry so he could hunt that deer season. He joined!
In boot camp, while shooting during the range portion of training, he shot expert. He was then offered a chance to attend the sniper training school that had been reinvigorated at Camp Pendleton due to our involvement in the Vietnam War. In 1968 when Charlie arrived in Vietnam — he rapidly became know as Chuck! He quickly became a very accomplished sniper.
While in Vietnam he received many medals three of which were medals with valor. After completing one full tour and a couple of extensions he returned stateside. He married his first wife, Marcy, and in August of 1970 he took an early out from the Corps and returned to his hometown in Lakeview. In November of that year his daughter, Lisa, was born. After his return to Lakeview he would begin a 27- year career with he US Forest Service. He later transferred with the Forest Service to Quilcene, WA, where he continued working for the road crew. Meeting his friend Joe, together they would race at local race tracks. Chuck loved racing as he competed during high school driving for Farleigh Ford dealership. After three years in Washington, Chuck again transferred, this time to Mapleton, OR where he became the road maintenance supervisor. In 1975 he met Robin Hood. They married in 1977 and in 1979 their first son, Don, was born and in 1981 their second son, Dennis, was born. In July of 1981 they transferred to Baker City, OR, where late in 1982 their third son, Cody, was born.
His love of the outdoors continued. Hunting, fishing and trapping were all skills he and Robin would inspire the boys to learn and participate in as a family. Having moved to Baker he ran into a childhood friend from Lakeview, Dean Brickey, who asked if he was interested in joining him and a group of men by playing a bugle in the Baker Elks Drum & Bugle Corps. He continued to play with them for 17 years.
In 1997, after his retirement, he often volunteered to drive the VA bus to Boise, ID. He helped train many law enforcement, SWAT, and military teams. Chuck was always warm and welcome to any ex- military or young men or women serving in the military to come by and have a beer in his shop to talk about their experiences. He maintained a humble and calm demeanor despite his military accolades and never lost his sense of humor! He and Robin had a catering business they worked for 15 years. He was the meat man! He built his own barbecue and would proudly show you how it worked at events. In March of 2023 he had a book come out called “The Sniper” by Jim Lindsay, describing Chuck’s life achievements.
Many people will remember Chuck Mawhinney for his legendary military record, but his family remembers him as a selfless kind-hearted friend, loving caring father, an a honest dedicated husband of 47 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Beulah Mawhinney, and his grandson, Morgan Mawhinney. He is survived by his wife, Robin, his daughter, Lisa Robinson (Paul), his sons, Don, Dennis (Angela), and Cody, his grandson, Holden; his sister, Veronica Bjorvik (Don), numerous stepgrandchildren, nieces and nephews and their families, and numerous cousins. A celebration of his life will be held on July 13th in Baker City, OR. Anyone wishing to donate in his memory may donate to Americansnipers.Org.