Charles P. Quistgard, a former Sonoma County juvenile court commissioner, master plumber and avid boater, died Friday.
Quistgard, 77, of Kelseyville, died surrounded by family at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. He suffered from asbestosis as a result of his long-time work as a plumber and died from complications of the lung disease, said his wife, Catherine Quistgard of Kelseyville.
Charles Quistgard worked with troubled youth and was appointed to the county's juvenile justice commission in the late 1980s. He was also a foster father for many years.
“He was very interested in at-risk youth and tried to help them and encourage them to lead more positive lives,” said Catherine Quistgard.
Charles Quistgard was born and raised in San Francisco as the adopted son of Peter and Martha Quistgard.
He graduated from Sacred Heart Preparatory High School in 1950 and then joined the U.S. Army. Quistgard served in the Korean War in the 82nd Airborne Division.
He and his wife, Dorothy Quistgard, had six children. The family lived in various areas, including San Francisco, the East Bay, and Truckee.
Dorothy had already died before him. Quistgard was married to Catherine Quistgard for 28 years. They also had a daughter.
Quistgard was a member of the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Journeymen, San Francisco Local 38 for 59 years.
He owned plumbing businesses in the cities where he lived and worked as a plumbing inspector for the city and county of San Francisco.
“He loved doing plumbing around the house. He loved going to the plumbing shop and doing things that no one else could fix. He was a master plumber,” said Catherine Quistgard.
When the family lived in San Francisco in the 1960s, they vacationed in the Russian River area. He eventually purchased the Apple Orchard Court Resort in Guerneville.
He moved to Monte Rio in 1979. He owned and operated Delta Plumbing until 1997. He also owned Quistgard Travel in Guerneville.
He was a member of the Lion's Clubs in the cities where he lived and a member of the Guerneville Rotary Club.
Quistgard was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and was willing to help others struggling with the disease, his wife said. “He was a sponsor for many.”
In 1990, hoping to alleviate the symptoms of asbestosis, they moved to Lake County, known for its clean air.
Quistgard loved powerboating. He drove his 19-foot Bayliner speedboat from Bodega Bay to the Farallones to fish with a friend, she said.
He was also a Boy Scout and Sea Scout leader when his children were younger, and was a foster parent with Redwood Children's Service for twelve years.
Catherine Quistgard said her husband had a gruff outward personality, but it quickly transformed into the personality of a teddy bear.
He was a member of VFW Post 2015, American Legion Post 194, DAV Chapter 83, Redbud Audubon, Knights of Columbus Queen of the Lakes Council 7611, and St. Peter's Ladies and Men's Club Kelseyville.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters Catherine Quistgard of Keizer, Oregon, Carol Kerger of Rohnert Park, Deborah Quistgard of Sebastopol and Jessica Quistgard-Scalisi of Weatherford, Texas; his sons Peter Quistgard of Guerneville, Daniel Quistgard of Concord and David Quistgard of Santa Rosa; his stepchildren Michael Holberg of Santa Rosa and Christine Pascal of Guerneville; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held on February 6th at 12:00 noon in the parish hall of St. Peter's Church in Kelseyville.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity that supports at-risk youth.
-Randi Rossman
