Wesley Du Charme, 71

Wesley Du Charme, 71, of Rathdrum, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2010. Though he meets the current legal definition of death, he has entered into cryonic suspension and hopes to come back someday, relying on future medical technology advances to repair any damage caused by the suspension and to cure “whatever damn thing killed me.”

Wes was a great man, born on April 3, 1939, in Minneapolis, Minn. He graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School (Denver), the University of Colorado (cum laude in general studies, magna cum laude in psychology), and the University of Michigan (1969, Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology).

Wes was smart and witty, and actively involved in many organizations, including the Lake City Harmonizers, Friends of Rathdrum Mountain, Rathdrum Planning & Zoning Commission, and his company, Decision Time Tools Inc.

He was a voracious reader, a talented singer, an avid tennis player, and a jokester who loved his burgers and beer, jazz and Frank Sinatra music. He lived life fully while always looking to the future; he joined Alcor in hopes to live in the far future, too!

Wes is survived by his amazing and nearly 91-year-old mother Florence Scriven; his fantastic wife of nearly 49 years, Skippy; his daughters, Gail, Suzanne and Nicole; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; and his sisters, Maureen, Mitzy and Julie.

In 1995 Wes wrote and published the book “Becoming Immortal: Nanotechnology, You, and the Demise of Death,” which describes the rationale and procedures for the cryonic suspension he has undergone. He would like to invite others to join him on this epic journey. Not only is “old” a state of mind, so is “dead.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Wes to the Friends of Rathdrum Mountain (P.O. Box 803, Rathdrum, ID 83858).

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010, at the Rathdrum City Park on Highway 53 at 15456 Latah Road.