Dr. Charles Waller

CRAVEN-Dr. Charles Waller; Colonel U.S.A.F. (Retired), of La Canada-Flintridge, California and Shaw I sland, Washington passed from this life on Friday, September 24, 2004 after an extended illness. Born near Waurika, Oklahoma January 5, 1920; he was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Craven, a brother David, a sister Ruth and his wife of 58 years, Eileen (Reavis) Craven. He is lovingly survived by his two children; Keith (Ana) Craven and Kathleen A. Craven (Robert Toombs), four grandchildren; Kristen Merlino-Guzmann, John Charles Merlino, Nathaniel Thomas Guzmann and Morgan Craven, great -granddaughter; Hailey Ann Guzmann, two sisters; Mary C. Gibson and Ann C. Couch, both of Fort Worth, Texas. In addition Charles is survived by numerous nieces and a nephew; his cousin David Clements of Orange, California, Iona Trumble of Oklahoma and Hugh Clements of Phoenix, Arizona; all of whom remained dear to him throughout his life. Colonel Craven had two careers. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in Nov., 1941 in the Army Air Corps, he received his pilot wings, was a B-24 bomber pilot serving in the Aleutian Islands, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and went on to a military career that spanned 24 years of active duty serving our nation. During his career, in the post-war era, Charles returned to Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) to earn his B.A and Masters Degrees. Soon after, he went on to earn his Doctorate from Ohio State University in Biochemistry. His duty assignments included the Aviation School of Medicine, the Air Force Office of Research & Development and culminated wi th his transfer to California in 1958 and assignment to Space Systems Division in El Segundo. At this time he worked in conjunction with California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and all of the leading aerospace industries as our fledgling space program was developed and expanded. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1965, Charles joined JPL in 1966 as inter-planetary quarantine manager, associated with the Voyager and Viking missions and he remained at the NASA installation until 1978 when Dr. Craven retired as the Executive Assistant to the Director, Dr. Pickering (recently deceased). His retirement activities included, but were not limited to; maintaining his active membership at La Canada Presbyterian Church, working with the Sierra Madre Council of the Boy Scouts of America; flying, for pleasure with the Icarian Flying Club, and also as a flight instructor to re-certify other pilots, designing and then building a second home on Shaw Island in Puget Sound, Washington, where he was also a joined the Presbyterian Church in Friday Harbor. Charles became an active member of the island community and only regretted not having more time to spend there. But the flights back and forth were a joy to him, as was any time he could spend in his plane. Charles Waller Craven walked upright and with dignity throughout his lifetime. A beloved son, brother, husband and father, a finer friend no one could ask for. He will be greatly missed by all those whose life he touched. Services will be Wednesday, 11:00 A.M. at La Canada Presbyterian Church, Cabot & Sons Pasadena, Directors