Charles Stephen Regenold

Age 76, of Minnetonka passed away on January 11, 2025. Charles ("Chuck") was born on July 9, 1948, in Minneapolis. He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Carolyn, and survived by his children Stephen (Tara), Ben (Sarah), Leah (Gary), Jon (Tess), and 23 grandchildren. He is remembered as a loving and wonderful father and grandfather ("papa").

As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam war and helped operate an Army weather-forecasting unit. Back home, after marrying Carolyn in 1970, Chuck started his work life in carpentry, following in his father's footsteps. He built houses and worked on skyscrapers in Minneapolis. In 1981, an entrepreneurial bug motivated Chuck to purchase a locksmithing company. He renamed it LockGuard and began growing a business that thrives to this day as a family-run operation.

Time spent in the outdoors was a passion. He hunted, hiked, biked, paddled, skied, and camped year-round. He learned to rock climb and scaled Devils Tower in Wyoming with two of his sons and his daughter in 1995. In his late-40s, he took up running and completed multiple marathons, Birkebeiner ski races, adventure races, orienteering meets, and a triathlon. He attempted to complete the fabled Arrowhead 135 winter ultra race multiple years in below-zero temps (he made it to mile 90 one year). He set an example of true endurance, pushing his physical limits even into the last year of his life.

His Christian faith guided him through life. This was most evident in the way he loved those around him, giving of himself to put others' needs ahead of his own. In spending time with him, you felt his great love for you.

No one was more important to him than his family. He raised four kids then watched as the family grew with grandchildren beginning in 2003. In all, he had 11 grandsons and 12 granddaughters. Family get-togethers in Minnetonka were common, his backyard equipped for kids with swings, slides, a zipline, and a playhouse he built by hand.

Big family camping trips were a summer tradition. A small tent village would form at a group campsite to house 25+ people for a weekend trip. Kids ran free, dogs roamed around. Bikes and gear were everywhere. A campfire and a screen tent over a picnic table were the gathering points to find food or get away from the bugs. On a camp chair, Papa would lean back in the center of it all. He was happy to be immersed in a universe of his making swirling around him under the trees.

He will be missed for his honest character, humble demeanor, and a selfless personality who put family first.

A private family service and burial will be held.