Charles D. Anderson, 81, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away on July 29, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Marie of Sierra Vista; stepson, Kevin Sonnek of Tucson; daughter, Sharon form a previous marriage; sister, Phyllis Weihrouch of Wisconsin; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Charles was born on Jan. 16, 1928, in Spring Valley, Wis., to Albin and Nora (Geisness) Anderson. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Delores; and two brothers-in-law.
After graduating from high school in Baldwin, Wis., in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and in 1950 entered the U.S. Air Force through the Aviation Cadet Program. Assignments in Strategic Air Command took him to many Air Force Bases throughout the United States and to overseas locations including Puerto Rico, North Africa, Guam and other Pacific Area installations. His participation in the Vietnam conflict included a tour at Phu Cat Air Base as the Avionics Maintenance Squadron Commander and flying more than 100 combat missions as a crew member on B-52s.
During his military career he received numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
While attending an Air Force school at Castle AFB near Merced, Calif., in 1971, he met and married Marie Sonnek at the Lake Tahoe Wedding Chapel in Stateline, Nev. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1977, Charles and Marie moved to Sierra Vista.
Since that time he had been active working around their home and enjoying the many civic and social organizations of which he was a member.
He had held membership in King Solomon Lodge F&AM, Tucson Scottish Rite, Sabbar Shrine, Sabbar Legion of Honor, Cochise Scottish Rite Club, Cochise High Twelve Club, Borderline Mensa, Military Officers Association of America, Air Force Association, Air Force Navigators and Observers Association, and the American Legion. He held offices at many of these organizations.
A graveside service will be held for Charles at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Aug. 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary.
Charles was born on Jan. 16, 1928, in Spring Valley, Wis., to Albin and Nora (Geisness) Anderson. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Delores; and two brothers-in-law.
After graduating from high school in Baldwin, Wis., in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and in 1950 entered the U.S. Air Force through the Aviation Cadet Program. Assignments in Strategic Air Command took him to many Air Force Bases throughout the United States and to overseas locations including Puerto Rico, North Africa, Guam and other Pacific Area installations. His participation in the Vietnam conflict included a tour at Phu Cat Air Base as the Avionics Maintenance Squadron Commander and flying more than 100 combat missions as a crew member on B-52s.
During his military career he received numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
While attending an Air Force school at Castle AFB near Merced, Calif., in 1971, he met and married Marie Sonnek at the Lake Tahoe Wedding Chapel in Stateline, Nev. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1977, Charles and Marie moved to Sierra Vista.
Since that time he had been active working around their home and enjoying the many civic and social organizations of which he was a member.
He had held membership in King Solomon Lodge F&AM, Tucson Scottish Rite, Sabbar Shrine, Sabbar Legion of Honor, Cochise Scottish Rite Club, Cochise High Twelve Club, Borderline Mensa, Military Officers Association of America, Air Force Association, Air Force Navigators and Observers Association, and the American Legion. He held offices at many of these organizations.
A graveside service will be held for Charles at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Aug. 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary.
Charles D. Anderson, 81, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away on July 29, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Marie of Sierra Vista; stepson, Kevin Sonnek of Tucson; daughter, Sharon form a previous marriage; sister, Phyllis Weihrouch of Wisconsin; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Charles was born on Jan. 16, 1928, in Spring Valley, Wis., to Albin and Nora (Geisness) Anderson. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Delores; and two brothers-in-law.
After graduating from high school in Baldwin, Wis., in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and in 1950 entered the U.S. Air Force through the Aviation Cadet Program. Assignments in Strategic Air Command took him to many Air Force Bases throughout the United States and to overseas locations including Puerto Rico, North Africa, Guam and other Pacific Area installations. His participation in the Vietnam conflict included a tour at Phu Cat Air Base as the Avionics Maintenance Squadron Commander and flying more than 100 combat missions as a crew member on B-52s.
During his military career he received numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
While attending an Air Force school at Castle AFB near Merced, Calif., in 1971, he met and married Marie Sonnek at the Lake Tahoe Wedding Chapel in Stateline, Nev. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1977, Charles and Marie moved to Sierra Vista.
Since that time he had been active working around their home and enjoying the many civic and social organizations of which he was a member.
He had held membership in King Solomon Lodge F&AM, Tucson Scottish Rite, Sabbar Shrine, Sabbar Legion of Honor, Cochise Scottish Rite Club, Cochise High Twelve Club, Borderline Mensa, Military Officers Association of America, Air Force Association, Air Force Navigators and Observers Association, and the American Legion. He held offices at many of these organizations.
A graveside service will be held for Charles at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Aug. 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary.
Charles was born on Jan. 16, 1928, in Spring Valley, Wis., to Albin and Nora (Geisness) Anderson. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Delores; and two brothers-in-law.
After graduating from high school in Baldwin, Wis., in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and in 1950 entered the U.S. Air Force through the Aviation Cadet Program. Assignments in Strategic Air Command took him to many Air Force Bases throughout the United States and to overseas locations including Puerto Rico, North Africa, Guam and other Pacific Area installations. His participation in the Vietnam conflict included a tour at Phu Cat Air Base as the Avionics Maintenance Squadron Commander and flying more than 100 combat missions as a crew member on B-52s.
During his military career he received numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
While attending an Air Force school at Castle AFB near Merced, Calif., in 1971, he met and married Marie Sonnek at the Lake Tahoe Wedding Chapel in Stateline, Nev. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1977, Charles and Marie moved to Sierra Vista.
Since that time he had been active working around their home and enjoying the many civic and social organizations of which he was a member.
He had held membership in King Solomon Lodge F&AM, Tucson Scottish Rite, Sabbar Shrine, Sabbar Legion of Honor, Cochise Scottish Rite Club, Cochise High Twelve Club, Borderline Mensa, Military Officers Association of America, Air Force Association, Air Force Navigators and Observers Association, and the American Legion. He held offices at many of these organizations.
A graveside service will be held for Charles at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Aug. 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary.
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