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Ohio State University University of Kentucky

Charles Blackburn Obituary

Charles L. Blackburn HAMPTON - Charles Leon Blackburn left this earth Sept. 30, 2008, surrounded by his family. Charles was born June 8, 1933, in Pikeville, Ky., to John Langley and Marie Blackburn. There he lived until graduating from Pikeville High School in 1951. He left Pikeville for college at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. While majoring in mechanical engineering, Charles decided to specialize in aerospace much to the dismay of his college advisor who considered it to be a newfangled type of engineering. Charles went on to graduate with honors in engineering and enjoyed a very long career in that field as well as to develop a deep appreciation for UK's Wildcats basketball. His family knew who to root for during March Madness. Charles left Kentucky to begin his career in Fort Worth. From there he moved to St. Louis, then Columbus, Ohio, where he obtained a masters degree from Ohio State University. While at NAA in Columbus, Charles was a specialist in the development of methods for dynamic analysis of aircraft structures and landing gear. It was there he developed his proficiency in the use of analog and digital computers. From there he moved to Nashville, Tenn., and finally settled in Hampton. Along the way he worked on the Apollo space project, Amtrak's new railcar design and the FEA analysis of the proposed hypersonic transport. Charles finally retired from engineering only to tackle many projects at home, making it a wonderful place for many parties and gatherings which family and friends will always remember. Along Charles' journeys, he met and married the woman who holds his heart, Linda, who survives him. Their loving relationship was one everyone should have the joy to experience. Charles is also survived by his children, Cynthia, Chuck, David, Jane Engle, her husband Gary, Kelly Alexander, Wendy Alexander and her partner Catherine Morris; his grandchildren, Erin Masters, Anna and Grace; his sister, Joan Potter and her children Paula, Mitch, Scot and Tom; and many valued friends who joined him for good times, trips and adventures. He was the father every child wanted, the friend who could be relied on and enriched the lives of all who knew him. A funeral will be conducted at 9 a.m. Friday in R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home with interment to follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Oct. 1, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Blackburn

38 Entries

Joe Black

October 17, 2008

Charles and I grew up together in Pikeville, graduating together in the PHS class of 1951. I remember him fondly as a good friend and a good student. I enjoyed seeing you both at the last (2001) PHS reunion and finding out about his great career in aerospace. May God bless you and your family.

Elizabeth Peters

October 17, 2008

Linda,
Our family is so sorry about your loss. Right now it is hard to walk by your home, with that scarecrow in the front, and not remember those friendly and "neighborly" conversations. You both were always so kind to allow my boys and myself to enjoy "your lawn" during the Christmas Boat Parades these past years. I can't imagine how difficult this time is for you right now, but please know that you are in our prayers. Please take care, Sincerely, Liz and John Peters and family

Jalaiah Unnam

October 16, 2008

Dear Linda,

Our love, thoughts, sympathy and prayers continue to be with you and the Blackburn family. If there is anything that you need, please know that we are here for you.

We have been talking a lot about Charlie among ourselves and revisiting so many great memories of our times with him and with the both of you. Some of our favorites are our small dinner parties, Alaska Cruise, our adventurous family trip to India (who could forget Charlie’s camel ride), and numerous holiday parties.

We are honored to have met Charlie, to have been able to call him our good friend and then to become a part of your family. We were and continue to be blessed by his kindness, love and integrity and will never forget his friendship, warm hugs, and booming, gleeful chuckles.

Charlie Blackburn, without a doubt, left this world a better and brighter place, and will be missed greatly. He was a great friend to us as well as a favorite uncle to Vasu. In a nutshell, he was one of a kind.

We have attached some pictures from one of the AS&M Christmas Parties and our trip to India.

Love Always,
Jalaiah, Vijaya, and Vasu Unnam

India Group Shot 1999

October 15, 2008

Charlie and Vasu, AS&M Christmas Party 2001

October 15, 2008

Charlie and Jalaiah, India 1999

October 15, 2008

Donald & Mary Baker

October 13, 2008

Dear Linda and family:
We are saddened to hear of Charlie's passing. We were out of town and just found out today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have known Charlie for over 30 years and truly enjoyed his friend ship.

Ken Human

October 9, 2008

Dear Linda,
I was saddened to learn of the passing of your husband Charles. Please accept my deepest sympathies. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cliff Blackwood

October 8, 2008

Dear Linda,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Please find comfort in knowing that other people care.

Bill Fedor

October 6, 2008

Dear Linda and Family:

Although I knew Charlie for only a few years while working for AS&M, I feel as if he was a life long friend. He was always available for thoughtful council and sharing of his experience. He was the original "southern gentleman." God bless you.

Bill and Eileen Fedor

catherine orlowski

October 2, 2008

Dear Linda and family,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Charlie was a wonderful and sweet person who was so welcoming to any stray person he met. We met you and Charlie at a party for my sister, Eileen's party, We have never forgetten him or you. God be with you both, you are in our prayers and thoughts, Rick and Kate Orlowski

Stephen Scotti

October 2, 2008

Charlie became my supervisor at Kentron soon after moving to Hampton in the early eighties and that started a long professional association. I admired both his technical judgement and his ability to provide practical approaches for any problem that arose. Though later in his career we only occasionally ran into each other, his easy and friendly manner brightened my day whenever we came together. I will truly miss him as will all his many friends and coworkers. I will keep him, Linda and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

Jane and Mark Shuart

October 2, 2008

Dear Linda and family,
Jane and I were saddened to hear of Charlie's passing. I always enjoyed being with Charlie-- he had a unique combination of keen technical insight, professionalism in every endeavor, and a zest for life that always made me laugh. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jaroslaw Sobieski

October 2, 2008

We will miss Charlie as a good, reliable professional colleague from the shared NASA projects, and would like to express our deepest sympathy to his family.
Jaroslaw and Wanda Sobieski

Lynn Sawyer Bowman

October 2, 2008

Charlie was one of the first people I remember meeting at NASA Langley, as a young engineering summer student in B1265. He later became my first supervisor with Kentron in early eighties. I will always remember Charlie with his big smile and lively laugh. I am very sorry to hear of his passing, my heartfelt sympathies to you Linda and family.

October 2, 2008

Linda,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Blackburn. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.With caring thoughts, Kim Nolff, CNA-(Heartland)

Woody & Gretchen Lovelace

October 2, 2008

Our many sympathies to Linda and family
on the loss of wonderful Charlie. He is a
ONE-OF-A-KIND person that will be
remembered for his wit, kindness, friendship,
and love-of-life. We will indeed miss
Charlie immensely.

Woody and Gretchen Lovelace

misty collins

October 2, 2008

Blackburn family-
I am so sorry to hear about Charlie. He was a great neighbor for many years, always welcoming a visit. I never saw his face without a smile on it. My thoughts are with you.

judy morewitz

October 1, 2008

Dear Linda,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family
on Charlie's death.I know that you two shared a great love and together collected many wonderful memories together.I hope that your happy memories will sustain you during this very difficult time.
My sons and I were so grateful to you and Charlie for hosting George's funeral lunch just 3 months ago. You were so gracious to all who attended and we appreciated your generosity
so very much.
George always called Charlie "my brother". I bet they are together now, telling stories, drinking beer and having a good time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Most Sincerely,
Judy Morewitz

Kathy Kurke

October 1, 2008

Dear Linda and family,

Our deepest sympathies are with you during your time of loss.

Charlie was a delightful, accomplished, gentle gentleman who caused anyone in his presence to smile. Even though he is gone, his memory will continue to make us smile! We had so many fun times with you two and are sad that there won't be new ones. But Charlie will always be in our memories and in our hearts.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with your during this difficult time and in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,
Kathy Kurke & Rich Davis

Sue and Irv Abel

October 1, 2008

Linda, We are deeply saddened after learning of Charlie's death. Like so many others we were drawn to Charlie by his warmth, charisma, and charm, and more recently by his courage. To you and your family we extend our love, our heartfelt sympathy, and our warmest thoughts.

My CNU Graduation May 8, 2004.

Nicholas Bell

October 1, 2008

No words will express how much Charlie will be missed. Charlie was an influence in my life since before I can remember. He was the best of friends with my grandmother, so I did think of him as a grandfather to me. You could always count on Charlie for one huge party of the year that brought friends and family together. This had always been one of my favorite times of the year, to knock on the door of his beautiful house and have him greet you with a huge smile, put his arm around you and give the personal guided tour. As the tour never really changed much it was one thing that I can always remember looking forward to with Charlie. He was a great and dear friend and will be missed but never forgotten.

Shawn Gallagher

October 1, 2008

Linda, your family here at OCC will miss Charles' battling for the singing tree or fish or the (non-talking) pink flamingos at the office Christmas parties. He was always so kind yet so mischievous (maybe even devious) in "stealing" the desired object d'art. You and all of Charles' family have our heartfelt condolences, your loss is heaven's gain.

Susan Cottle

October 1, 2008

As I sit with a heavy heart and a loss for words, I can hear Charlie telling me, "just write 'ever-what' ya' want" to write. So, I will. My deepest sympathy goes to Linda, Jane, Chuck, Cynthia, David, Kelly, Wendy and the rest of Charlie's loving family and closely knit friends. I know your pain, and I wish I could take it from you. I also know that there are absolutely no words that can begin to ease your sorrow. I hope that it helps just to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers, and there you will all remain. If my mom and dad were here, they would share my same sentiment, as they thought the world of and loved Charlie, just as we all do. I must confess that it brings me great comfort to know that they STILL have each other to lean on, and hope that that thought will comfort you, too.

All of my love and prayers,

Susan Cottle

Liz Ward

October 1, 2008

Dear Linda and family,

My deepest sympathy for your loss. My prayers are with you.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Linda Henderson

October 1, 2008

Our deepest and Heartfelt thoughts and Prayers are with
Blackburn family at this time as is our Prayer for God's peace to your Family. May God bless you all.

Regina Mays

October 1, 2008

Linda, Cynthia, I was so sorry to read about Charlies's passing. He was a wonderful human being always smiling and happy. I feel privileged to have known him. Regina

Penny Chambers

October 1, 2008

Linda and family,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to share in Charles' kindness and words of wisdom. Take care.

Ginger Arrington

October 1, 2008

Linda,

Charlie always knew how to liven up a room. He was a joy to be around and he will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Ginger, Steve, and Aiden Arrington

Olaf Storaasli

October 1, 2008

Linda & family,
Charlie was a true inspiration and joy to know since 1970 when I joined him in Bldg 1148 at Langley where he was working nearby with Gary Giles and Sid Dixon. We worked together on the IPAD project where we wrote technical papers and travelled to meetings together. This work helped bring CAD/CAM to Langley.

Charlie will truly be missed by all who knew him for his positive and encouraging spirit, his sense of humor which went so well with his big smile.

Gary Borda

October 1, 2008

Dear Linda and Family,

I met Charlie a number of times through my work with Linda. He was a genuinely nice, friendly, generous man and I am the better for having known him. I remember fondly how he and Linda opened their home to a NASA group that was meeting at Langley just before Christmas. The Love in Charlie and Linda's hearts was so evident in their beautiful home that it brightened my Christmas season (if you have been luck enough to visit their home during the Holiday season, you know what I mean). Linda, I wish I could be there on Friday, but be assured that you are in my thoughts and that I am praying for you.

Diana Eyre

October 1, 2008

Charlie was the most positive person. I loved how his eyes sparkled and that big smile came on his face when he spoke about Linda. I also loved to talk about Mercedes with Charlie. I know Charlie will always be watching over you Linda. He loved his family and life. Charlie will always be remembered.

Ron Haskins

October 1, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Charlie's smile and uplifting spirit will be missed.

Mark Morewitz

October 1, 2008

Linda,
I did not know Charlie a long time but his sweetness and bright light was apparent to all who met him. He was such a gentle man and I know he will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to you and his other family members. Sending a hug your way.

D. Luis Otero

October 1, 2008

Dearest Linda and family:

Charlie is the greatest, and always will be! I have rarely found another person so gifted with charisma, intellect, and a generously affable disposition. He knew no strangers, and counted thousands as good friends. He was a "bigger-than-life" character who shared his experiences and goodwill with all whom he loved.

My life has been greatly enriched through my friendship with Charlie, and I will ever feel love and gratitude for his counting me among his friends. Each encounter with him was a warm, happy, learning experience. I will treasure many wonderful memories of great times at the Blackburn home. Charlie has a wonderful family whom he loved unconditionally, and I feel multiply blessed to know all of you.

I feel deep remorse for the hard trials Charlie endured these past two years, yet, while I mourn his death, I am happy for the the release he has been granted. May he be at peace, amid eternal joy and laughter.

I offer my most sincere condolences and prayers for all of you. Please call on me if there is anything I can do for you.

Darryl

Jean Lankes

October 1, 2008

There couldn't be a more generous, friendly, upbeat person than Charlie. The world will suffer a great void without him. I'm grateful to have had the privilege of working with Charlie at AS&M. My condolences to the family.

Donna Augburn Gilchrist

October 1, 2008

Please accept my deepest sympathies and may God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Lesley DeVries-Hartley

October 1, 2008

Cynthia and Erin,

My deepest sympathy to you and the family for the loss of your father/grandfather. I know you will miss him dearly. May God's Peace surround you and give you comfort during this difficult time.

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