The Life Science Foundation

Our Founder: Lynn ‘Buck’ Charlson

Our Founder: Lynn ‘Buck’ Charlson

Our founder, Lynn ‘Buck’ Charlson (1909-2004,) provides a uniquely American story of a self-educated and self-made man who rises from a background of modest means and influence to one of wealth and worldwide impact.

As a hotel clerk in 1934, Mr. Charlson spent his spare moments reading library books on mechanics, hydraulics, and electronics.  A hotel business guest, who often took advantage of the young man’s insights into his manufacturing problems, suggested him for a job that eventually lead Lynn Charlson to found the Char-Lynn Company where his inventive genius and financial acumen could be put to work.  In 1985 he was inducted to the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame for inventing the Char-Lynn Orbit Motor, “a high-torque, low-speed hydraulic motor characterized as the most unique and useful hydraulic device in the field of fluid power in modern times.”

Mr. Charlson credited the Orbit Motor to an intuitive experience.  He described the moment as “there was a picture like in a television, and there was this product. While unbelievable to me, there’s what I’m going to have to have. So I made a sketch of it and immediately got busy making a prototype.” Along with other inventions, the Char-Lynn Orbit Motor is still being manufactured over 40 years later by Eaton Hydraulics in Eden Prairie, MN and sold all over the world.

In 1970 Lynn Charlson retired from business and began a daily focus on the new sciences (such as quantum physics), the mind, higher consciousness, spirituality, intuition, and related fields.  His curiosity and dedication to these topics continued until his death in 2004, thirty-four years later. He stated, “If I could have successful intuitive experiences, why can’t all of us?” Mr. Charlson devoted hours of research and financial resources to the quest for technologies that could contribute to the evolution of humanity and provide a scientific framework for some of life’s greatest mysteries. He also quietly funded many other people who were pursuing new understandings of health and wellbeing, inventions to raise consciousness, applications of intuition, and related research.

Although a private person, Lynn Charlson quietly supported the arts, local Minnesota foundations, and individuals facing hardships throughout his adult life.  He advised those close to him to always carry an extra $100 bill in their wallet in case they met someone in need.

Mr. Lynn Charlson’s work and interests in consciousness, spirituality, the new sciences, and intuition continue in the activities of the Life Science Foundation.