Charles W. Blaney
Charles Willard Blaney, Jr., passed away on March 23, 2017.
Chuck was born on April 25, 1925 in Blue Island, Illinois to Charles and Leota Blaney, both deceased.
After graduation from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Chuck volunteered in the Army Air Force. He was trained as a Radio Operator, Turret Gunner, crewed up with crew 7178 and assigned to the 8th Air Force, 448th Bomb Group, 713th Bomb Squadron, in England. Chuck attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and flew in the B-24 Liberator Bomber for 23 Combat Missions over Germany. He was shot down on his 23rd mission, crashed in Germany, and interned as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft One.
After being freed from POW Camp he was discharged and attended America University in Chicago. There he earned a BSEE Engineering Degree. He worked in the Aerospace Industry for 31 years with various Aerospace companies. Chuck retired from Northrop Grumman as Manager, Product Marketing, after 23 years of service.
While working on the 1st NORAD COMMAND CENTER at ENT AFB he met the love of his life, Friedericke. They were together for 55 joyous years. She passed away on October 10, 2013. She was the love and focus of Chuck’s life.
Chuck was always deeply involved in computers and a 24-year member of the Colorado Springs Computer Society. He was also a life member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of EX-POW’s, the American Disabled Veterans (DAV), and Flight 11 of the Order of Daedalians. He was also a devoted golfer.
Chuck is survived by his grandchildren: Chris and Lisa Turnbull; and his niece-in-law, Gabrielle Czeiner of Vienna, Austria.
Private family services and entombment will take place at the Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum, Gate of Heaven.
Memorials in Chuck’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.