In Memoriam of Duane Norman Chellevold

Duane Norman Chellevold died very suddenly on June 7, 2009, at the age of 60 of a ruptured aorta. He was an AFA (American Farriers Association) certified horsehoer in the Phoenix-metro area for more than 20 years. And, from the comments heard from his customers, one of the best around. Duane was also a 30+ year breeder of purebred Arabian horses and, for the last few years, Straight Egyptian Arabians. During the late 1980s he showed his TheEgyptianPrince son, Neis Omar, to six consecutive Champion Stallion or Reserves at Open Shows. The horse also captured a 2nd the only time he was show "Class A". For the last couple years, Duane was studying to become an Arabian horse show judge. (He was also a Level 9 gymnastics judge and had judged the Arizona State Farriers Association shoeing contest.). Duane's wife, Hertha, is going to try and maintain the many-generation domestic Arabian herd (aka CHARAB), as well as the Straight Egyptian herd (aka CHARIOT), but with a greatly decreased number of animals.

Duane was born March 5, 1949, in Cottonwood, AZ - a rare native Arizonan - the only child of Norman and Helen Brown (Foss) Chellevold. The family moved back to Wisconsin (to be among their relatives) when he was six months old - not to return to AZ permanently until he was 17. (There were many intermediate "forays" to AZ). He was a straight-A student beginning in the 6th grade, which eventually resulted in a full scholarship to ASU where he majored in Chemical Engineering. He was also the first Eagle Scout that the town of Platteville, WI, had ever produced.

While working on his Masters Degree at ASU, he met and married Hertha Jane Farmer on April 21, 1973. They met in the cat fancy - Duane bred and showed blue Persians (Salmon Cattery) and Hertha bred and showed Abyssinians (Avenue Cattery) and Birmans (Tibet Cattery). Avenue Abyssinians became the top Abyssinians source in the world during the 1970s. Duane worked in the semi-conductor industry for over ten years and earned his MBA at the University of Phoenix. (Hertha has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Psychology). He became disillusioned with companies moving, being sold, having lay-offs, etc. So, he decided to go into business for himself. He graduated from Western's School of Horseshoeing and apprenticed him to Reserve World Champion Horseshoer, Ray Brown, before striking out on his own.

Duane and Hertha had two children - Devon Noah (born May 9, 1974) and Tarah Hertha (born July 8, 1982). Devon graduated from ASA as an astronautical engineer and lives and works in the Phoenix-metro area. He is an accomplished ballet artist, as well as a 2nd degree Black Belt in TaekWonDo. Tarah graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Oklahoma at the age of 19 and is an up-and-coming actress in Los Angeles. She was an Elite gymnast ranked 18th in the country in 2001 and won the World Dance Championship in 2003.

The Chellevold family wishes to thank the Arabian Horse Community, Duane's customers, Charab customers, and their friends for all their help and support during this difficult time. We also wish to thank all the people who have purchased horses from us thus far, and we still have some beauties for sale. Call 480-969-6609 for details.