Charleen "Charlie" Babcock

Charleen (“Charlie”) Babcock Obituary 

November 14, 1949 – April 27, 2024

Charleen (“Charlie”) Babcock, 74, of Anchorage, Alaska passed away unexpectedly April 27, 2024.  Charlie was a fiercely loving mother and life adventurer. Her parents, Marjorie and Albert Robinson lived in Elgin, Oregon. She was born in the nearby town of Le Grande, at the closest hospital to Elgin.  She grew up with her sister Reta and brother Gayleon and graduated from Tonasket Washington High School in 1967. She later spent time in Omak, Washington where she met and later married Les Babcock, a love that would span over 25 years of adventures and good times. Les and Charlie (also known as Tiny back then) spent a few years in Okanogan and Spokane before they decided to move the family to Alaska. They drove to Alaska on the Al-can Highway in a Volkswagen van in 1976 and after arriving, brought Gary and Amber along.

Charlie and Les had too many adventures to list. They traveled all over the world, visiting many countries and riding motorcycles throughout the lower ’48.  They also loved enjoying their own back yard of Alaska, fishing, hunting, camping and of course riding motorcycles.  In the mid 80’s Charlie and Les once again packed up the kids and spent a short while living in Hawaii where Charlie got her first “very own” motorcycle and learned to ride.  From that point on, there was no stopping the Unknown Legend, her long blonde hair flowing in the wind.  She loved that song.

Charlie was a strong advocate for biker safety and held several positions, including president of the Alaska Bikers Advocating Training and Education (ABATE), Anchorage, AK chapter.  She helped organize several charitable Alaskan events, one of which was affectionately known as the Bum Run.  You could always find her at biker rallies throughout Alaska and the lower ’48 enjoying a beer with her buds and taking lots of photos, many of which she got published in motorcycle and riding magazines.

After a long career working at the Alaska Court System, Charlie retired and continued her love of traveling and riding, eventually settling on a winter home in Bullhead City, Arizona. She spent her time in Alaska during the summers, adventuring and flying with her daughter and spent winters riding with her son and enjoying the Arizona desert warmth.  She was a member of the Cactus Cuties, Arizona chapter of Women in the Wind, whom she enjoyed riding with and where she will be sorely missed by her sisters.

Charlie never met a stranger, and never had an enemy - but you wouldn’t want to cross her, either.  She had a laugh and a smile that was welcoming and infectious.  She was described by many as having a laid-back, kick-back attitude and being a bad ass free spirit.  Everybody who knew her, knew what a firecracker she was.

She is survived by her son Gary Babcock, daughter Amber Babcock (Scott), granddaughter Ashley Babcock, nephew Tim Emery (Victor) and a multitude of close friends, all of whom have been touched by her adventurous spirit.  She was preceded in death by her father Albert Robinson, mother Marjorie Thomas and sister Reta Brown.

Celebrations of life will be held in both Bullhead City, AZ and Anchorage, AK.  Friends in Arizona can gather in Bullhead at the Pour House Lounge at 3:00 PM on Friday, May 10, 2024.  Friends in Alaska can gather at Reilly’s Irish Pub at 3:00 PM on Friday, June 21, 2024. 

In lieu of flowers, buy a friend a beer and have a cheer for Charlie.