Charles L. Gates, Jr., M.D. 76

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. 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 three small children and started North Idaho Urology. Expanding his services to Kellogg and Sandpoint, he practiced Urology until he was 70 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 40 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 55 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 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 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. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Charlie’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.