Charles Junior Forsyth, age 71, passed away on April 5th, 2025 in Salt Lake City with his loving family by his side. Charlie was born August 17th, 1953 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada to George Kenneth Forsyth and June Hartley Hinman Forsyth. When Charlie was 9 months old, the family immigrated to the United States. He grew up in Washington state, graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1971. Charlie Graduated from BYU with a degree in law enforcement. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints he served two years in the Frankfurt, Germany mission. He was commissioned in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain, and flew the F-4 Phantom for nine years. Charlie also took great pride in serving his country as a fighter pilot instructor.
Following his Air Force service, Charlie founded a construction company in Moses Lake, Washington. He married his sweetheart Karin Hirth of Tuttlingen, Germany on July 27th, 1991. They established their family with Karin's 10-year-old son, Stefan, and welcomed Nicola in 1995. In 1996, The family relocated to Utah. As a contractor and carpenter, Charlie built two beautiful homes for his family by hand. He also flew as a Captain for Sky West Airlines for 19 years. Since his retirement, Charlie's family has resided in Saratoga Springs.
In addition to church activities, Charlie was an avid equestrian, gardener, bee-keeper, carpenter, painter, scuba diver, spear fisherman, racquetball player, student of jiu-jitsu, bow hunter, cook, world traveler, family man, and friend to all.
His untimely passing was due to the rare autoimmune disorder MPA (Microscopic Polyangiitis), which impairs oxygen delivery to tissues. Since his diagnosis 10 years ago, chemotherapy treatments have kept the disease in remission, but Charlie's illness became critical earlier this year. He continued to fight to stay with his family through many weeks of hospitalization. The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the many devoted physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and staff at Intermountain Medical Center Shock-Trauma and Coronary ICUs, and Salt Lake Specialty Hospital.
Charlie is survived by his loving wife, Karin Hirth Forsyth, his son Stefan Albrecht (Janelle) and their 4 children, and his daughter Nicola Ann Forsyth. His siblings are Marilyn F. Wallin (Bruce), Jill F. Stark (Robin), Weltha Jane F. Jensen (Blair, dec.), Kevin Michael Forsyth, sisters-in-law Ingrid Hirth Kellgreen (Steve), and Ursula Hirth Justesen (Blaine), brother-in-law Werner Hirth (Petra), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Ken and June Forsyth, two infant siblings George Kenneth Forsyth Jr. and Jeanette Forsyth and Karin's parents Werner and Anna-Maria Hirth.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. at the Riverside Ward Chapel on 1178 S Pondside Drive, Saratoga Springs UT 84045. A public viewing will be held on Friday April 11th, 2025 at Larkin Mortuary - Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in
Riverton, Utah. There will be no public viewing Saturday prior to services. Services will be immediately followed by an open-mic luncheon in the cultural hall to celebrate Charlie's life. Graveside services with Military Honors and burial will follow at the Riverton City Cemetery at 2:30 P.M. Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the services, please click on the "Watch Services" icon above.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been established at Utah Community Credit Union to help the family with the many medical and funeral expenses.