The son of Norwegian immigrants, Charles E. Selvik was a self-made man who embodied the American dream, family members said. “He worked hard and was proud of the work he did,” said his son Eric. “He was a first-generation American who captured a lot of the American spirit.” A 20-year resident of Barrington, Mr. Selvik, 60, died of complications related to cancer Saturday, Jan. 31, in Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. Born in Lincoln, Neb., he grew up New York, graduating from Bryant High School in 1961. He joined the Navy, trained at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Waukegan, and served until 1965 at a naval station in Hawaii. A radio operator in naval reconnaissance, he learned Morse code and remembered it the rest of his life. After his naval service, he began working in communications at Monsanto Co. in New York, where he met his wife, Bonnie. They got married in 1967. Working and going to school at night, he received a bachelor’s degree in science and marketing from St. Peter’s College in New Jersey and a master’s degree in business administration from Fordham University in New York. Transferred by Monsanto Co. to Chicago, the family moved to Barrington in 1983. Several years later, Mr. Selvik helped start Pro’s Choice Inc., selling clay and other products used to create athletic fields. Mr. Selvik recently had attended trade shows for the company, now a subsidiary of Oil-Dri Corp. of America. A skilled gardener, Mr. Selvik shared vegetables from his garden with neighbors and friends and already had garlic planted for spring. Other survivors include his wife; two more sons, Christopher and Justin; a sister, Jeanne; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 306 Franklin St., Barrington. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
