Charles Lewis Prince, 88, passed away quietly on November 18, 2005. He was with his family, and ended his life with dignity and in comfort.Updated 9/21/08
June 2, 2006
Charles Lewis Prince, 88, passed away quietly on November 18, 2005. He was with his family, and ended his life with dignity and in comfort.
Chuck Prince was a longtime Alta resident and member of the then-Community Club. In fact, he served as president, and worked on this newspaper in two or three capacities.
Chuck was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended Los Angeles High School, received his B.A. in economics from Stanford University in 1939, and briefly attended Harvard Law School.
In the fall of 1941, he was drafted and served during World War II in the Army, in Africa and in Europe. Chuck was recalled to the Army during the Korean War, served in South Korea, and left the army with the rank of Major. During his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
He remembered his time in Italy during the war with a particular fondness for the Italian people. His memories of Korea were less comfortable, especially the cold and the general poverty of the South Koreans. At mealtimes, he’d be sure his own men were fed, then he’d arrange to give any extra food to the local residents, especially the children.
Chuck married Marilyn Dey in 1947. He had roomed with her two brothers during college, and grew close to her family, who lived in Los Altos Hills. After they married, 
Chuck and Marilyn lived in the Los Angeles area, in the Bay Area, and finally settled in Alta, CA, in 1957.
Chuck began his long association with Ford Motor Company in the early 1950s, and bought Prince Ford in Colfax in 1956. Along with the dealership, the business did auto repair. The dealership closed in 1971.
Chuck was friendly and well-liked, and loved our small communities. He got to know many people through the Ford dealership, and he also participated in community activities. In addition to his work for the Community Center, he served on the Alta School Board for many years, and on the Placer County Grand Jury. He was an active member of the Colfax Lions and volunteered for the Colfax Chamber of Commerce, into his 80s.
Local residents may recall Chuck putting down local roads on his Honda 50 motorbike, from the late 1970s through the 1980s. In the summers, he relished a dip – sans suit - in Towle’s Hole, on Canyon Creek, while it was still available to local residents.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Marilyn Dey Prince; four children, Susan D. Prince, Benjamin D. Prince, George D. Prince, and Charles D. Prince; four grandchildren, Emily B. Prince, Steven C Prince, Hannah S. Prince, and Nicholas S. Prince; and his sister’s son, Charles Bell.
Gifts may be made in his name to the Hospice of the Foothills, 12399 Nevada City Hwy, Grass Valley, CA 95945; to the Colfax Historical Society, P.O. Box 185, Colfax, CA 95713; or to the Community Center.