Charles C. “Chuck” Christiansen passed away in his sleep on Oct. 17, 2007. Born Jan. 20, 1926, to Dr. Peter and Hazel Christiansen of Bennington, Neb., Chuck’s early years were spent horse jumping, where he won many awards. At age 17, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was soon stationed on the Cutter “Alert.”

In 1945, pilots were in great demand. Chuck was automatically retired from the Coast Guard, entered into the Navy and chosen to attend Navy Flight Training. During this period, he married his childhood sweetheart, Myra Lee Hadan. Navy assignments took Chuck, Myra, and a growing family to several Navy bases around the United States, including Whidbey Island and Adak, Alaska.

Chuck continued to serve through the Korean and Vietnam wars. As a pilot, he flew dozens of military airplanes and helicopters. Chuck retired from the Navy in 1966 after 23 years of service to his country. Chuck and Myra lived in East Brunswick, N.J., when their four children began to leave for college. First, oldest daughter Claire who went off to Oregon, Connie to California, Jessie to Ohio, and John to California over the next 10 years.

Civilian life did not mean an end to Chuck’s passion as a pilot. He became a corporate pilot for Faberge in 1967 and then chief pilot for Purolator Corporation. He retired from flying at age 55 after establishing the very corporate policy which would ground him. Chuck put safety above his own desires. After promising Myra he would take her to all the places that he got to see while on duty, Chuck and Myra began a world traveling adventure that would take them to those places and more, visiting over 40 countries over the next four decades.

Chuck and Myra’s retirement years brought them back to Whidbey Island in 1981, when they built a house on the same site where they attended many squadron parties decades earlier. Chuck stayed active with the Silver Eagles (Enlisted Pilots Association), Oak Harbor Yacht Club, Davis Landing Home Owners Association, Military Officers Association, Whidbey Golf & Country Club, and church work at the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Chuck and Myra were also regular bridge players, enhancing their social life and making many friends. Chuck was a “Mr. Fixit” and always there to lend a hand to his neighbors and friends.

Chuck is survived by Myra, his wife of almost 61 years at the family home; daughter Claire and her husband Ken Hoover of Dayton, Ore.; daughter Connie and her husband Greg Paris of Newberg, Ore.; daughter Jessie Christiansen of Port Townsend; and son John and his wife Marguerite Wilbur of Millbrae, Calif. Chuck and Myra have three grandchildren, David (and Stephanie) Paris, Deidre (and Stephan) Dillon, and Liran Schleckser, and three great grandchildren, Morgaine and Audric Paris, and Rose Dillon.

Funeral services will be held at the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. Chuck will be laid to rest at the Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wash., on Monday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m. with full military honors provided under the auspices of the United States Navy.

Memorials may be given to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church or any charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.