Charles T. Van Dusen

1923 - 2024

"Chuck" Van Dusen passed away on July 19th, 2024 at the age of 101 years old. He was born on June 23nd, 1923 in Elizabeth New Jersey. Soon after Chuck's birth, his family moved to Birmingham Michigan where he attended school at Cranbrook Academy. His uncle Jim taught Chuck to fly and at age 14 he piloted his first solo flight in a small aircraft. After graduation from Cranbrook Academy, Chuck enrolled at Purdue University where he was a member of the swim team and began his studies in mechanical engineering. His college career was cut short when he was called up from the reserves to serve in the Air Force in World War II. After completing flight training at the age of 19, Chuck captained a B-17 bomber for the US Air Force and was sent to Italy to fight. Stationed in Fogia Italy, Chuck completed 35 successful missions as a B-17 bomber pilot and captain, beginning in December 1944, until April 1945. Chuck was responsible for a crew of nine men, all of whom survived the war.
Chuck married Jane Erb, his high school sweet heart, in March of 1944 and had five children: Janie, Fred, Steve, Cathy and Marjorie. Chuck returned back to college at the University of Michigan to continue his studies. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1949 and soon after moved to Media Pennsylvania where he worked for Piasecki Corp., designing helicopters. His career took him to New York, back to Michigan and finally to Connecticut where he established a small airport known as Simsbury Air Service. Chuck was a fight instructor, taught aerobatics and also ran a crop dusting operation. After Chuck retired in 1985, he pursued a variety of interests including a remodeling business, yoga and hiking. He hiked the entirity of both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail as a solo "through-hiker." In 1995, Chuck relocated to Colorado. He took up dancing with the Ridge Runners dance club. As the oldest member of the club, he loved both the music and camaraderie of dancing. He was a life long conservative and followed politics closely. Chuck continued to drive and live independently until the age of 99 when he moved to Elk Run Assisted Living in Evergreen Colorado, where he passed away peacefully. Chuck was buried on August 3rd, 2024 at the Evergreen Memorial Park. He leaves behind four children, twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Chuck will be greatly missed.