Charles (“Chuck”) Des Roches died suddenly on February 7th, at his home in Corral de Tierra, following a cardiac procedure. He was 68. Chuck was a partner at the law firm of Noland Hamerly Etienne & Hoss, where he headed the firm’s trusts and estates practice group.
Chuck was born in North Carolina to Bernard Hart Des Roches and Nancy Wooster Des Roches. He lived in several places in the United States and Europe as his family followed the military career of his father. Following in his father’s footsteps, Chuck joined the Army National Guard, where he served from 1976 to 1983. He started his civilian career in the hospitality business, and there he learned flexibility and generosity, and he developed a keen instinct about handling staff and ensuring that customers were treated with dignity and respect. Chuck graduated from Monterey Peninsula College in 1996, and from Monterey College of Law in 2000. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2000, and began the practice of law with the offices of Al Nicora in Carmel.
Chuck joined Noland Hamerly in 2006, following his intense interest in estate and tax planning, and in 2011 he was certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. In 2016, he earned an LLM degree from Golden Gate University. Chuck developed an extensive estate planning practice, and was recognized by the professional community as a leading practitioner in the region. Chuck’s strong work ethic and deeply compassionate approach to his practice made him one of the most successful estate planners on the Central Coast. He earned the trust of his clients who were often facing some of life’s most difficult and complex financial and personal issues and decisions. Chuck believed that a proper estate plan not only served his clients, but also their families and heirs. He worked hard to ensure that his clients’ final wishes were honored, and that their hard-earned assets were protected. Chuck was known for his warm and caring demeanor by his professional colleagues, and the staff at Noland Hamerly with whom he worked.
The staff and lawyers at Noland Hamerly were particularly blessed with Chuck’s presence among them. His easy-going nature and deeply compassionate approach to his clients and his office colleagues made a profound and permanent impact on the office culture.
The nonprofit community was the beneficiary of Chuck’s devotion to public service. He served on the boards of Legal Services for Seniors, the Carmel Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Monterey County. He was very active in the Monterey County Bar Association, serving as a Board Member and President, and on the Board of the Monterey County Bar Foundation. Not only did Chuck devote his time and talents to the nonprofit community, but he was also a strong financial supporter of Legal Services for Seniors, Hartnell College Foundation and the Carmel Foundation. He was a member of Salinas Valley Community Church, Corral de Tierra Country Club and the Salinas Downtown Rotary Club.
Chuck is survived by his son Ryan, his grandson Charlie, his former wife and close friend Nicki, his brother Bill, his sister Amy and his niece Jennifer. At the family’s request, no public services will be held. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Chuck’s memory may be made to the Monterey County Bar Foundation, Monterey College of Law or the Hartnell College Foundation.