My brother Chuck was dyslexic and it wasn't discovered that he needed glasses, until he had failed 1st and 2nd grades. We then went through school together in the same grade. After he got glasses he excelled in school and graduated Cum Laude.
Chuck was a very patriot person and joined the Marines just before graduation from high school, and in July 72, he was stationed at El Toro Marine Base in California. He wanted to serve the United States and go to Viet Nam. However the Marines had other plans for him.
My parents started getting calls from neighbors and teachers from grade school through high school saying they'd been contacted by the Secret Service asking questions about him. Chuck was selected for special assignment to President Richard Nixon. He was in charge of maintenance and fueling of Air Force 1 since that's where Nixon flew in and out of going to his home in San Clemente. We were so proud of Chuck and he was so honored. We have pictures of him with Air Force 1.
He served in the Marines for 6 years before coming back to Rapid. He was in limbo as with what to do for sure, until our uncle who was the head of Southern Pacific Railroad offered him a job in Tuscon AZ. Chuck was a track foreman and worked nights monitoring trains going through. One particular night the brakes bled off of a lone train car on an adjoining track and a guy in the tower saw it was going to hit the train that was traveling through, he radioed the train to stop. Chuck was the only one who was supposed to order the train to stop and they think he was running to his pickup to find out why the train was stopping. It was dark and noisy, he ran across the track and was hit and killed by the lone car, which went on to hit the train going through and caused a big accident. Chuck was 25 years old. Later the railroad put up huge flood lights at all of their stations, and these lights are called Chuck Lights.
Chuck was the best brother and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. We still miss him tremendously.
Debbie, I agree with you. Chuck was a wonderful person, and very kind. I appreciate you sharing about his service to our country after graduation, and the honor that was bestowed upon him to care for Air Force One. He was capable and conscientious. I just appreciate knowing him. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. God bless you, Bob
Thanks for sharing that great tribute to Chuck. He was one of the nicest guys I met in high school. Always upbeat and kind to everyone. I heard about his death after I got out of the service in 78. I was heartbroken that such a terrible thing could happen to such a great guy. I didn't know about his service to our country. Thanks for sharing that . It was inspirational. Take care. Maurice Snyder.
Chuck was indeed a very nice guy and always wanted to help someone. I know for a fact I got many a ride home from scdhool in his volkswagen beetle--green or blue--as I recall. Always seemed happy. Yet a quite fellow as I recall. Thanks Debbie for sharing his story with us--I was unaware of his service history and accident later. Look forward to seeing you at the reunion. Al
Thank you Debbie. I always remember Chuck as a quiet guy with a never ending smile. He will be SORELY missed by all in his class. Wendy (Fraser) Henley
Debra A Sharp (Collins)
My brother Chuck was dyslexic and it wasn't discovered that he needed glasses, until he had failed 1st and 2nd grades. We then went through school together in the same grade. After he got glasses he excelled in school and graduated Cum Laude.
Chuck was a very patriot person and joined the Marines just before graduation from high school, and in July 72, he was stationed at El Toro Marine Base in California. He wanted to serve the United States and go to Viet Nam. However the Marines had other plans for him.
My parents started getting calls from neighbors and teachers from grade school through high school saying they'd been contacted by the Secret Service asking questions about him. Chuck was selected for special assignment to President Richard Nixon. He was in charge of maintenance and fueling of Air Force 1 since that's where Nixon flew in and out of going to his home in San Clemente. We were so proud of Chuck and he was so honored. We have pictures of him with Air Force 1.
He served in the Marines for 6 years before coming back to Rapid. He was in limbo as with what to do for sure, until our uncle who was the head of Southern Pacific Railroad offered him a job in Tuscon AZ. Chuck was a track foreman and worked nights monitoring trains going through. One particular night the brakes bled off of a lone train car on an adjoining track and a guy in the tower saw it was going to hit the train that was traveling through, he radioed the train to stop. Chuck was the only one who was supposed to order the train to stop and they think he was running to his pickup to find out why the train was stopping. It was dark and noisy, he ran across the track and was hit and killed by the lone car, which went on to hit the train going through and caused a big accident. Chuck was 25 years old. Later the railroad put up huge flood lights at all of their stations, and these lights are called Chuck Lights.
Chuck was the best brother and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. We still miss him tremendously.
Mary Jane Wolfe (Carroll)
Thanks Debbie for posting Chucks story. It touches my soul to read our classmates story.
Robert K Fischer
Debbie, I agree with you. Chuck was a wonderful person, and very kind. I appreciate you sharing about his service to our country after graduation, and the honor that was bestowed upon him to care for Air Force One. He was capable and conscientious. I just appreciate knowing him. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. God bless you, Bob
Maurice Snyder
Thanks for sharing that great tribute to Chuck. He was one of the nicest guys I met in high school. Always upbeat and kind to everyone. I heard about his death after I got out of the service in 78. I was heartbroken that such a terrible thing could happen to such a great guy. I didn't know about his service to our country. Thanks for sharing that . It was inspirational. Take care. Maurice Snyder.
Alvin E Wessel Jr
Chuck was indeed a very nice guy and always wanted to help someone. I know for a fact I got many a ride home from scdhool in his volkswagen beetle--green or blue--as I recall. Always seemed happy. Yet a quite fellow as I recall. Thanks Debbie for sharing his story with us--I was unaware of his service history and accident later. Look forward to seeing you at the reunion. Al
Wendy Fraser (Henley)
Thank you Debbie. I always remember Chuck as a quiet guy with a never ending smile. He will be SORELY missed by all in his class. Wendy (Fraser) Henley