Charles Cerny

Charles “Chuck” Cerny, longtime Deaconess Hospital administrator and vice president, passed away on October 10, 2021, after a long illness. Chuck was born on August 11, 1942, to Charles and Dorothy (Roemer) Cerny in Davenport, Iowa. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Boysen; sister-in-law, Kitty (Kris) Knaphus; brother-in law, John (Lynn) Cogan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally (Cogan) Cerny of 52 years in March of 2021; and parents, Charles and Dorothy Cerny. Chuck received his B.A. Degree from Loyola University, Los Angeles, and his M.S. Degree from the University of Missouri. He began his career with the Scott County Department of Social Welfare, followed by positions with St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rock Island, Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Mental Health. In these positions he served as a social worker, outpatient therapist, clinical social worker, and supervisor of programs. Chuck accepted a position at Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls in 1974, and in succession held positions as Director of Hospital Social Services, Chief Psychiatric Social Worker on the Psychiatric Unit, Director of Education, Vice President and Director of Deaconess Skilled Nursing, and Director of Psychiatric and Rehab Program. On leaving the Deconess system, Chuck taught for Northern Montana College, Great Falls and Montana State University-College of Technology. He finished his career as counselor and instructor with Spectrum Learning in Great Falls. Chuck was unusually well organized, caring, innovative, and effective. He had a strong work ethic and always went the extra mile to make sure that the best job was done in any given situation. Chuck was a people person with an engaging sense of optimism that inspired others to live up to the same high standards that he set for himself. Long time professional colleagues and the general public alike have suggested that in whatever capacity that he served, he was the “best individual that ever held that position.” Chuck and Sally were outdoor people with a special passion for downhill skiing, at which they excelled, and with family and friends built a mountain top log cabin used for personal retreat as well as the site of wonderful social gatherings. Chuck and Sally were animal lovers and were devoted to Golden Retriever Rescue and the Maclean Animal Shelter. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Maclean Animal Shelter in memory of Chuck are suggested.