Charles August Haegelin

Charles August Haegelin, a much loved father, grandfather, husband, son and brother died in Albuquerque of natural causes on Saturday, May 20, 2023; he was 86. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Lynnette Haegelin (Roser); and by his half-brother Arthur Truitt and half-sister, Virginia Newell (Truitt).

Charles, "Chuck" to many of his friends, was born in Atchison, Kansas on Monday, November 16, 1936 to August Haegelin and Ruby Haegelin (Coleman). Growing up in Kansas during the depression was hard, and Charles was sent to live with his grandparents across town. He remembered living in "Grandad Haegelin's big white house" as one of the happiest times of his young life.

Charles and his parents moved to Roswell, NM where August had taken a job as a bookkeeper. He graduated from Roswell High School and attended Reed College and then the University of Oklahoma. A born entrepreneur, Chuck bought his first income property while still an undergraduate at OU.

After graduating from OU, Chuck was en route to California when he passed through Santa Fe, NM and fell in love with it. He took a job with the NM State highway department and was working there when he met his future wife, Lynn Roser, at a New Year's Eve party. They both came with other dates, but Chuck was captivated and secured Lynn's number for a future date. Chuck and Lynn married, and he took a job with Albuquerque Federal Savings and Loan in its nascent data processing department. Although he stayed with the company for 25 years, Chuck left the data processing department early on and spent most of his career as the head of its land development subsidiary. During this time, Chuck and Lynn had two children: Denise (Dee Dee) and Steve.

Chuck loved the land development business, and became quite good at it. While at Albuquerque Federal, Chuck led the development of Tanoan Country Club and the surrounding residential communities. Unfortunately, the savings and loan collapse of the late 80's included the failure of Albuquerque Federal Savings and Loan, and of Chuck's land development subsidiary, AmDec, along with it.

Out of work, in his early fifties, and without enough money to retire, Charles bet his life savings on a land development project in El Paso. When asked about the risk he said, "I was going to go broke slowly with certainty, or do this development and have at least a chance of success. I saw it as no risk at all." When that first development succeeded, raising capital for the second (this time in Albuquerque) became easier. As importantly, there were very few other land developers left in business after the S&L collapse and subsequent real estate collapse.

For the next 15 years, Chuck grew his business, Curb, Inc., ultimately becoming one of the largest land developers in New Mexico. He and his partners developed many subdivisions: El Rancho Grande in SW Albuquerque, Willowwood in SE Albuquerque, Cabezon in Rio Rancho and Huning Ranch in Los Lunas. He lost his wife, Lynn, in February 2007 after a long illness. A few years after Lynn's death, Charles became close with a lovely lady, Gail Ewing. They were a great couple, enjoyed love and life and many trips worldwide together. Chuck developed Alzheimer's, and he spent the last seven years of his life at Morningstar Assisted Living in their memory care unit. During this time, Chuck's daughter Dee Dee was a constant source of companionship and love, arranging everything from his many doctor visits to weekly dinners at her house.

Our family is deeply thankful for the loving care provided by Morningstar Albuquerque and Luna del Valle Hospice. We are especially thankful to Danny and Kristen and others at Morningstar who made Charles' everyday life and end of life comfortable. We also thank Max and others from Luna del Valle Hospice who helped Charles be comfortable in his last few days. Max went above and beyond relaying messages to Steve and Dee Dee and helping with calls to Charles so everyone could say good bye.

Charles leaves behind his two children: Dee Dee Penners and Steve Haegelin and their spouses, Don Penners and Juli Khoe; and his four grandchildren: Nicole and Jessica Penners, and Jeff and Kristin Haegelin. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law and brother in law, Betsy and Fred Carpenter; and his nephew John Carpenter. He also leaves behind many other beloved relatives in New Mexico and Kansas.

Services for Charles Haegelin will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at FRENCH- Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of Charles' favorite charities: United Way of New Mexico, Cuidando Los Ninos, or Animal Humane Association of New Mexico.