Col. Robert Francis Charlesworth

Col. Robert Francis Charlesworth, 53, of Manlius, NY, was born to eternal life Saturday, September 16, 2023, at home with the loving and watchful care of his wife, Betsy (Elizabeth A. Scherr of Jericho, VT). Rob, as he liked to be called, was born September 3, 1970 at Highland Hospital in Beacon, New York to Robert J. and Ruth F. Charlesworth of Kingston, NY.
Rob is survived by his wife of 17 years, Betsy and their three children: sons, Myles and Martin Charlesworth and daughter, Morgan Hull, and dog Milo; his parents, Robert and Ruth Charlesworth, Murphy, NC; his sisters, Nancy Cronin (Brian) Newtown, CT, and Ruth Randall (Tom) Feura Bush, NY; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rob was predeceased by his grandparents, Ferris and Theresa Charlesworth, Bronx, NY, and Ruth and Frank Kempsey, Kingston, NY.
Rob graduated from Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington in1988. Upon graduation he was awarded a 4-year ROTC Scholarship to Boston University, where he graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering. Later he received his Master's degree in Project Management from George Washington University. Upon graduation in 1992 from Boston University, Rob received his first Commission through ROTC as an Engineer Officer 2nd Lieutenant. He continued to serve a distinguished 28-year career in the US Army.
Col. Charlesworth began his service as Platoon Leader and later Company Executive Officer assigned to 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1993 he deployed to Somalia following the Battle of Mogadishu. He then served as a staff officer and Company Commander, in the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, followed by an assignment as an Engineer Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
In 2001 he transitioned to the Vermont Army National Guard. In 2003 he deployed to Afghanistan as a staff officer and Brigade Operations Officer in the 86th Brigade Combat Team. In 2009 he deployed to Afghanistan as Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 172 Infantry Regiment. Concurrently, he held management positions with the IBM Corp. in Essex Junction, VT and then the Goodrich Aerospace Corp. in Vergennes, VT.
In 2011 Col. Charlesworth went on active duty to serve at the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C. His assignments included service as Executive Officer to the Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters Department of the Army, as Deputy Assistant to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard and Reserve Matters in Arlington, VA.
In 2019 Col. Charlesworth joined the NY Army National Guard and assumed command of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Syracuse, NY.
Col. Charlesworth is a graduate of the Engineer Basic and Infantry Advance Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Army Command and General Staff College, and National War College in Washington, DC.
Col. Charlesworth's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Force Reserve Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Sapper Tab and Ranger Tab.
In July of 2021 Col. Charlesworth retired from the Army. He transitioned back to civilian life and took the position of Director of Lifecycle Management at SRC Tec, LLC in Syracuse, NY.
Rob was a loving son, brother, husband and father. He had a strong love of God and Country and held his family very close to his heart. He was a loyal man, a man of faith, honor and commitment, a soldier who earned great respect. He is a true American hero. Rob and Betsy blended their families and got married in VT. Then the Army moved them to Burke, VA and currently to Syracuse, NY. Army life brought many adventures and many friends into their lives. Rob will be deeply missed, but we know he is in God's hands watching over us as we continue our journey here on earth.
Visitation hours will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 6pm-8pm at Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd, Manlius. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Manlius, NY on Thursday, September 28th at 11:30 am. Interment will follow Mass at Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Syracuse, NY with full military honors. After the burial there will be a luncheon at Drumlins Country Club, Syracuse, NY from 2pm-6pm.