Charles “Chuck” Wilder,

03/21/29 – 04/02/13
On April 2, 2013, Chuck Wilder passed away at his ranch home in New River, Arizona. Chuck was born on March 21, 1929 to C.V. and Ella (McFarland) Wilder in Bellingham, WA. In 1943 Chuck enrolled at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, N.M. He attended through two years of college and maintained a relationship with the school throughout his life. After graduation from NMMI, he continued his education at the University of Washington, earning his Civil Engineering degree in 1951. Following graduation, he reported for duty in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Engineer Aviation Brigade Headquarters. He left the service in 1953 as a first lieutenant and returned to Bellingham to become a member of the Wilder Construction team. During the next ten years he worked in all aspects of the company, learning and advancing in responsibilities until he became president in 1963. Because of his vision and expertise, the company continued to grow and expand its operations to other states in the Northwest. In June of 1974, Wilder Construction opened its Alaskan Division in Anchorage, becoming a highly respected contractor throughout the state.
Wilder’s name was synonymous with excellence in the asphalt pavement industry. Wilder Construction was awarded the largest single highway contract by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation in 1981. The project required excavating millions of cubic yards of solid rock. Wilder designed the project using highly innovative and efficient conceptual ideas that kept the traffic flowing while completing the complicated task ahead of schedule.
Chuck believed that the Wilder employees were its most important asset. The firm enjoyed one of the best reputations in the Northwest and Alaska by maintaining the high standards set by his father, C.V. Wilder, Sr. The transition from a family-owned to an employee-owned company was accomplished in 1994. Granite Construction, Inc. of Watsonville, CA began its acquisition of the company in early 2000. Chuck achieved the ultimate respect from his peers by being elected president of the Asphalt Paving Association of Washington, the Mountain Pacific Chapter of Associated General Contractors, and the National Asphalt Pavement Association. He was also honored as Whatcom County Business Person of the Year. His leadership and caring for the many employees that worked for him were hallmarks of NMMI’s credo of Duty, Honor and Achievement. As an entrepreneur in the business world, Chuck generously supported various organizations including the Western Foundation at Western Washington University, the Arne Hanna Swimming Pool in Bellingham, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, Hospice of the Valley in Arizona, New Mexico Military Institute as well as deeding his Arizona Ranch to the Boy Scouts of America.
Chuck is survived by his daughter Judi (husband Paul) Ross of Gig Harbor, WA, granddaughter Jennifer (husband H) Hegberg of Seattle, WA; sister Virginia Hayes of Carmel, CA, nephews Gordy and Craig Hayes of Bellingham WA, and niece Sally Kimberlin of Arizona. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Carey who passed away one month earlier, brother L.K. “Bud” Wilder and sister Anita Sorrel. A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held in Arizona and at a later date in Bellingham.