Lifelong Alaskan and Sterling resident, Mr. Charles Hubbard passed away at the age of 79 on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at his home in Sterling. He returned home to his wife, Dee Anne Hubbard, who departed us in 2009. Charles fought for the rights of all Natives in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which led him to serve on the Ahtna, Inc. Board of Directors.

Charles was born on August 4, 1941 in Valdez Creek, Alaska to parents Helen Stickwan and Slim Hubbard. Since then, he lived enough for several lifetimes. Among his many accomplishments, he received an honorary Doctorate for teaching language at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), proudly served his country in the Vietnam War, and continued his dedication through work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). His work ethic is undisputable. At the age of 15, he began working on the Alaska Railroad and went on to work for Alyeska Pipeline for 23 years. After he retired he was asked to come back and write the shutdown procedures for Pump 12. As hard a worker as he was, he liked to play just as hard. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, metal forging (knife making), painting, wood-working and basically anything that he could do with his hands. He loved to learn new things and to teach them to the next generation.

He is remembered as a dedicated, loving, and proud husband and father by their two boys and their spouses, David A. and Bailey Hubbard and “Frank” C. Francis G. and Rose Hubbard. In addition, they adopted the latch-key kids Elton, Brian, Sean, and Jeremy.