David "Toby" C. Chelgren

Toby David Charles Chelgren, age 72 passed away Oct. 9, 2012 and had a Tee time in heaven with his wife, Sally. Toby is survived by sons, Coy (Barb) and Chad (Laurie); grandchildren, Capri, Amelia, Delaney and Jack; sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Donahue and Jackie (Dwayne) Fladland; nieces, nephews, and many friends. Gathering of Family and Friends 5-8 PM Wednesday, Oct. 17th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. Memorial service 12 Noon Thursday, Oct. 18th at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 No. Shore Drive, Forest Lake with a gathering beginning at 11:00 AM. Memorials preferred. David Toby Chelgren was born on February 29, 1940 on the East Side of Saint Paul to Marvin Dorothea Chelgren. Toby received his nickname from the family dog that he received as a birthday gift when he was 8 years old. Toby graduated from Johnson High School in 1958 and then attended one year at Gustavus. Toby then joined the Army from 1962-1968. He was based at Fort Leonard Wood as a Staff Sergeant and also served as a cook in the Army. Tobys family owned land and a cabin on the east side of Clear Lake in Forest Lake, MN. On one of the many trips up to the lake, is when he met Sally Drummond. Toby and Sally were married on March, 23, 1968 and honeymooned in Las Vegas. There, they fell in love with the big lights and spent many vacations in Las Vegas. Toby and Sally moved into the old family cabin on Clear Lake. Over the years they remodeled and added on to make it into their family home. In September 1973 they adopted Coy from South Korea. Chad was born on April 17, 1976. Toby and Sally joined Forest Hills Golf Club in 1968 and remained active members for many decades. Toby was part of the mens league as well as the couples league. He won the Mens Club Championship in the late 1980s. Toby and Sally won the Couples Club Championship in the early 1990s. At his best, Toby had a 1 handicap. Toby and Sally loved to vacation with other couples to great golf courses. Toby was a proud 25 year employee at Kraus-Anderson in Saint Paul. There are not many buildings in the Twin Cities that Toby did not have a hand in building at least part of them. Toby also enjoyed fishing, gardening, bird watching, and reading. One of his famous lines was I dont know a lot about one subject but I know a little about a lot of things. And that he did as he could talk to just about anyone on any subject. He had a way to make people feel very special because he cared enough to take the time to find out more about each person. In 1990, Toby was diagnosed with kidney failure by John Eikens in Chisago Lakes. After a complete physical, it was found that he had bladder cancer, as well. With these findings, the kidneys, bladder, prostrate, and appendix were removed all during a 15 hour surgery at Fairview Southdale. After 5 years of dialysis, Toby was matched with a kidney donor. When he received his transplant, they also removed 2.5 feet of his intestine to make a bladder for him. The transplant would fail in 2000. At that time the kidney was removed and he went back on dialysis for another 12 years until his death. Also during this time frame, Toby broke his arm (playing the violent game of golf). He had his rotator cuff repaired a couple times and total knee replacements in both knees. He broke one hip in October of 2006 and the other in October 2007. Toby also had skin cancer, glaucoma, cataract surgery, carpal tunnel in both wrists, arthritis, and he also had his gallbladder removed. In spite of all his medical issues he had to deal with, Toby still remained the driving positive force for everyone around him. You would always see Toby smiling and never complaining. Toby cherished his friends and family. He adored and lived for his grandkids. The last thing to finally give out was his big heart.