Charles Eisenbach, 90, died May 19, 2005, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was born Sept. 16, 1914, in Trenton, N.J., to Charles F. and Anna R. Eisenbach.
Mr. Eisenbach was raised in Trenton where he graduated from high school. He was selected for and attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., where he graduated in 1936 with a bachelor’s degree in naval engineering.
Mr. Eisenbach fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II where he flew the PBY Catalina. He had a long and decorated military flying career, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Flyer’s Cross. Capt. Eisenbach retired from the Navy in 1963 after serving at many duty stations around the world. After his retirement he went on to work as personnel officer at Delaware University for 10 years.
In 1942 Charles met Helen Russel in Perth, Australia. Both he and Helen ultimately went their separate ways, both marrying others and raising families on separate continents. In 1990 Charles heard that his friend from many years before, Helen, had been widowed in New Zealand. He wasted no time in going Down Under to see her. They were married in November of 1992 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Mr. Eisenbach enjoyed several hobbies, including his model trains, classical music and opera. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and reader. He also attended St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Oak Harbor with Helen.
Mr. Eisenbach is survived by his wife, Helen, at the family home in Oak Harbor. He is also survived by son Charles Robert “Bob” with wife Sherry Eisenbach of Portland, Ore., daughter Mary Alice “Sally” with husband Haigh Fox, M.D., of Coupeville, stepson Craig James Henderson and grandson Matthew Henderson of Auckland, New Zealand. He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Heath, Nate and Amy, children of Sally and Haigh, along with Morgan, Robin and Matthew, children of Bob and Sherry. Charles was not the only Annapolis graduate in the family, his son Bob graduated from Anapolis in 1967 and his grandson Matthew is just finishing his third year at the academy.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Charles Eisenbach will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 26, with Rev. Richard Harlacher officiating at Burley Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association
