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Charles L. Gates, Jr., MD
8-17-1946 to 11-28-2022
Fly fisherman, backpacker, duck hunter, golfer, runner, scuba diver, and traveler, Charlie Gates was an outdoorsman and adventurer.
He was born in Bellevue Hospital, New York City, where his father, who would later start the Spokane Eye Clinic, was in residency. Charlie was a graduate of Lewis & Clark High School 1964. He grew up on Spokane’s South Hill, not far from his future wife’s home. Having mutual friends and much in common, Charlie and Sarah married in 1968. After graduating from University of Iowa Medical School and completing a residency at the University of Utah, they moved to Coeur d’Alene with 3 small children and started North Idaho Urology. Expanding his services to Kellogg and Sandpoint, he practiced Urology until he was seventy years old, missing only one day his entire career for a personal medical emergency.
Charlie was humorous, ambitious, generous, and supportive. He encouraged those around him that they could accomplish anything and assisted others to pursue their dreams. He served his community well and was an active member of The Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club for almost forty years. Charlie will be remembered for his boundless energy, sense of humor, enthusiasm, and love of family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Sarah Schnug Gates; three children, Benjamin Lee Gates, Kimberly Shannon Gates, and Wendy Taylor Gates; three grandchildren, Penelope Gates, Scarlet Harris, and Annika Travis; his brother, Ken Gates and his niece, Shannon Gates.
A memorial service will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Lake City Church in Coeur d’Alene. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to be made in Dr. Charles L. Gates’ name to The Coeur d’Alene Rotary Foundation, PO Box 444, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.JDRF.org.
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Richard Gary Lambert
Charlie was a good friend during high school. I also ran into him at the U of Utah where he trained in Urology and myself in Nephrology. I have not seen since but am glad he was successful. He will be truly missed.
Richard
Frank King
So sorry to hear about Charlie's passing. I played park league baseball at Comstock and at Lewis and Clark. Haven't seen him since he graduated, but he was a great guy. Besides he went to the University of Utah even though it was after I graduated.Terry Sullivan
Just heard about Charlie from the LC website. In recent years, I contacted him about small togethers and there was always had a conflict that prevented him from making it. I believe his health has been failing for a while. I go back to Comstock baseball with him - and other guys who went to LC. He was a very good pitcher - great form and a winner's attitude that inspired the rest of our team when he was on the mound. I believe I saw him last at the 50-year reunion. What a smile and demeaner he had! A class act always. I am grateful to have known this outstanding person. RIP, Charlie, see you on the other side...
Bob Eddy
My memories of Charly are not as many as others. But I know he was a really nice guy and went on to become a doctor.
My biggest memory of him was in the 9th grade at Sacajawea Jr. High. I was trying out for the baseball team that year and the coach wanted to see how I would respond to a good pitcher who threw hard - and Charlie was the best pitcher we had at Sacajawea. So I stood in the batter's box and faced him and he said "I won't throw that hard... do the best you can." And somewhere between the 1st and 3rd pitch he cranked it up and threw at my side and I couldn't get out of the way soon enough and I got "plunked" in my left side. That was the END OF MY BASEBALL CAREER... I got out of the box and decided I was not good enough or agile enough to play in "that league." Charly said he was sorry and I said - "NO PROBLEM - I couldn't get out of the way soon enough." Oh well....
Mike Dirks
Yes, Charlie was a great guy. I remember him and his smile from LC baseball as well as math classes we had together. I ran into him 10 or so years ago. I knew he was a doctor and he asked what my career was. When I said I'd been a teacher for 40 plus years he looked really shocked. "But Mike, you were so smart!" he gasped. I took that as a compliment though not so much for the teaching profession.
Douglas Roscoe Pullen
probably knew him better as a classmate, Whitman College, Class of 1968. First met him at Sac, later in LC athletics, Lettermen's Club where he was a baseball guy and I was tennis. He and his family have been strong supporters of Whitman College over the years.
Walter Aden Lowery-Mulvey
Charlie was a great guy. Very personable, friendly and smart. I think the word "nice" might incapsulate my recollection of him. One of the guys I looked up to. He obviously will be missed by many and I’m sure he touched so many lives not only with his profession but also his hobbies. When I read of his passing the first words out of my mouth were “Wow.....what a terrific life he made for himself and his family.
My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Charlie!