Charles "Chuck" Bye

A bonfire can never be too big, and if a little is good a lot is better - these were principles that Charles Michael Bye, “Chuck” or “CM” lived by for 81 years. Born on January 25, 1944, to Gladys (Holmen) Bye-Nelson and Clarence M. Bye, he embraced his only child status while growing up in Osseo, WI.

Chuck graduated from Luther College and then on July 2, 1966, with fireworks and all, he married Diane “Dotty” Olson. Chuck earned his Juris Doctor degree from Valparaiso Law School in 1969, and began practicing law in River Falls. His practice was one of his many passions and he established what eventually became Bye, Goff, & Rohde Ltd. in River Falls, WI. As a trial lawyer focused on personal injury, Chuck received numerous professional honors and awards before retiring in 2021 after 52 years of practice.

Chuck had many hobbies that he approached with the same mindset - if a little is good, a lot is better. This included countless (70+) trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area/Quetico Provincial Park, fishing until the stringer was too full - whether in Canada or Florida, snowmobiling until the gas ran out, playing bridge for hours (and sometimes days) on end, golfing from sunrise to sunset, and building furniture until there was no room to store it. Perhaps his favorite thing to do was walk the trails in the Wisconsin Northwoods grouse hunting with a dog or two by his side.

When talking about grandchildren, he often asked Dotty ” How did we get so lucky?”. Tatum, Brody, Ana, and Karl always made him smile and he often reflected on the great things he believed they would accomplish. Chuck was lucky in many ways. He married Dotty, a caring and kindhearted wife for 58 years, and they raised three children Chris, Karyn, and Kjellrun, who like him, created their own paths in life and followed their passions. He instilled the importance of making the most of every day - more than once, Chuck woke the household on a Saturday morning by lighting firecrackers outside so they wouldn’t sleep the day away.

Until his death on April 26, 2025, from a rare and aggressive brain disease, Chuck made the most of every day doing the things he loved including talking with grandkids, fishing, volunteering at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, mowing trails at New Wood, gathering with friends for drinks on the beach in Sanibel, building shelves and organizing his workshop, walking Kally, and sharing stories with friends and family at Shell Lake by an incredibly large bonfire.

Chuck, aka Papa is loved by his family: Dotty Bye of Sanibel, FL, and Hudson, WI; Chris Bye of River Falls, WI; Karyn Bye and Tatum and Brody Dietz, of Hudson, WI; Kjellrun (Luke) Olson and Ana and Karl Olson of Champaign, IL, and of course Kally Dog. He will be missed by many more including sister-in-law Sally Hagen of Tulsa, OK; brother-in-laws Wayne (Connie) Olson of Chetek, WI; and Lon (Kayo) Olson of Manchaca, TX, and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation and memorial service will be held on May 30, 2025, at Bethel Highlands Church, 504 Frontage Rd, Hudson, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a memorial service starting at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. His service will be livestreamed HERE. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Chuck’s honor to:

River Falls Community Food Pantry: https://www.mightycause.com/donate/River-Falls-Community-Food-Pantry

Save the Boundary Waters: https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/commemorative-giving

Condolences and especially stories and memories can be shared on Chuck’s online guestbook below.