Charles "Chas" William Ariss

Charles William Ariss III was born in Flushing, NY on December 4, 1955. He grew up in Elmhurst, New York with his parents, Patricia and Charles and his sister Virginia. His lengthy education began at St. Bartholomew's in Elmhurst and then to St. Francis High School in Brooklyn on a full scholarship, graduating in 1973 with a Regents Diploma. Studies continued pursuing his love for nature and the ecolodge. He studied agriculture at SUNY Farmingdale and transferred in 1975 to the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at SUNY Syracuse, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1978. He was one of 20 students who graduated in the environmental sciences picked as a graduate research fellow at University of Idaho. The fellowship was sponsored by environmentalist Robert Redford and he completed the fellowship in 1984. Studies took him to Utah and Oregon where he also received a stipend with the EPA, meeting and learning of nationally recognized leaders in the field. His master's degree in engineering, awarded in 1988, where he studied civil and environmental engineering at Utah State University. In 2014, he obtained his National Engineering License. Charles had a great love of nature and music. Childhood was spent on the beaches of Long Island, mountains of upstate New York and the many family vacations up and down the east coast. He loved his years in the Boy Scouts who taught him how to respect nature and survive in the outdoors. He was proud of achieving his Eagle Scout. He was a true believer in a superior being that protected us and mother nature. One of the quotes which guided him, "The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and love of all kind." The last few years of Chas's life has been spent with his wife Sandra. The earlier of that time living in Boise, ID where they met at a concert. Their shared love of music and Charles love of guitar playing sent them on a path together of taking in as many concerts and music festivals as humanly possible. In 2015 they decided, because of their desire to get back to nature and find a simpler, less hectic life, they made the decision to uproot and move to Sandra's home state of Montana. They chose the beautiful little community of Anaconda where Sandra's uncle lived for 63 years. Lo and behold, because of the environmental challenges Anaconda faces and Chas's expertise in the field, it was what he felt to be a fated match. He so loved what he was doing and his contribution to the cause, even through the tough time that existed. He believed if the cause was worth the effort, you carry on! He and Sandra became Elks members and volunteered and whole heartedly supported community events. He fell in love with the Big Hole and didn't spend enough time there, according to him. He made good, lifelong friends that he will so miss. Know that he loves each and every one of you! Chas is survived by his wife Sandra, of Anaconda, his mother Patricia and sister Virginia, both of New York, his son Chad (Kiki), of Salt Lake City, his daughter Danielle, of Long Beach, CA, his granddaughter Mia, of Salt Lake City and his beloved cat Ripples. Services will be held at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.

Visitation

DEC 19. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (MST)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711

Service

DEC 19. 2:00 PM (MST)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711