Charles Muckenthaler

Charles Paul Muckenthaler (Sam to his Kansas friends and family), 92, passed away on December 17, 2012, in San Diego, California. He died peacefully following a lengthy illness and was surrounded by family and friends. Sam was the son of Charles and Bernadine Kolde Muckenthaler and a native of the Paxico (Newbury), Kansas area. He was born on June 6, 1920, and the youngest of 11 children. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight sisters and two brothers. His wife of 47 years, Margaret Sterling, also preceded him in death. He leaves behind a loving daughter, Marcha, and two grandchildren in San Diego, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins in varied locations. Sam spent nearly 30 years in service to his country as a Naval aviator. A Pearl Harbor survivor, he went on to fly fighter aircraft in the Pacific during World War II and also flew 35 missions in England. He finished the war back in action against the Japanese, flying off the USS Lexington with Air Group 94. Muckenthaler opted to remain in the Navy, serving eight years as a test pilot helping to make the transition from pistons to jets; working on procedures for operating jet fighters off carriers; and serving as an exchange pilot flying F-86 Sabres with the U.S. Air Force's famed 4th Fighter Group. The apex of his military career came in 1964 when he took command of the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge. Before retiring from the Navy on August 1, 1969, Sam served as chief of staff of the Fleet Air Command based in San Diego. At the end of his military career, his logbook documented 200 different airplane types. He began his civilian life as a test pilot for Grumman Aircraft, eventually turning to a successful career in finance and real estate. Muckenthaler was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic parish in El Cajon and was devoted to the Divine Mercy lay apostolate. For 22 years he served as an appointed Eucharistic minister, regularly bringing the Blessed Sacrament to patients in hospitals and to residents of local convalescent homes. A memorial Mass and military tribute took place on January 12, 2013, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, El Cajon, California. A graveside service will take place at 8:45 AM, Monday, February 11, 2013, at the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Newbury in fond remembrance of a loving man who was devoted to serving the Lord. We will miss him and his delightful stories and warm smile. He lived a life that matters!