Charles R. Kalb

Charles Robert "Charlie" Kalb passed away on March 2, 2009 at the age of 85 in San Antonio. Charlie was born on April 21, 1923 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Harriet Marie and Charles Herbert Kalb. Charlie had a sister, Etta Jean, who preceded him in death. Circa 1940, Charlie joined the Army Air Corps (it later became the U.S. Air Force). In the early 1940s, he was stationed in Panama where he met his future wife, Leticia Brigida Medina. Charlie and Letty married and had four children: Ann, Susie, Robert and Herbert. During World War II, Charlie served in North Africa fighting General Rommel. He also served his country during the Korean Conflict. After the war, the Kalb family traveled the world from Panama to Florida, Georgia, Washington State, to the Air Force Academy and back to Panama. The family has fond memories of their time in the Air Force, and especially their great adventure driving from Panama to Denver via the Pan American Highway. In Colorado Springs, Charlie ran Mitchell Hall at the Air Force Academy. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service. After retiring from the USAF, Charlie worked for the Panama Canal Company, first, as General Manager of the Tivoli Hotel and later as manager of the Panama Canal Retail Store in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. When he retired from Pan Canal in 1979, he and Letty left Panama for the last time and moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, next to good friends, Doris and Dave Rhode, Joanne and John Langford, Cindy and Darl Hudson and Marina Leal. Moving to Virginia didn't really mean retirement for Charlie. Ever the "doer" he could never stand to just sit around and relax. He volunteered at the local hospital and took meals to "old folks" who were house-bound. In November 2005, Charlie and Letty FINALLY moved to Texas to be closer to family. Letty died a few months later on February 11, 2006. They had been together for over 63 years. Charlie was a great husband, father and best buddy. He always said that being called "Grandpa" brought him one of the greatest joys of his life. Charlie was also preceded in death by his son, Robert. He is survived by his daughter, Ann and her husband Robert Schorlemer of San Antonio, daughter, Susie and her husband Larry Opalka of Houston, son, Herby Kalb and his wife, Jan of Atlanta. Charlie is also survived by grandchildren Suzanne (Schorlemer) and husband Jay Bailey, David and wife Susannah Schorlemer, Doug Opalka, Rene Kalb, Greg Kalb and fiancé Lindsey Jones, Jennifer (Kalb) and husband Blake Yantis, David Kalb, and Skylar Kalb; by great grandchildren, Blake, Mary Frances, Louisa and Will Schorlemer, and Robby and Ann Marie Bailey, and by friends and family he loved very much in Lynchburg, Virginia and Texas. He was especially fond of Pondi and Hugo Medina, Letty's relatives in Panama City, Republic of Panama, and of all the Medina family. Te amo, Charlie. Vaya con Dios. You are always in our hearts. The family will celebrate Charlie's life at a private Memorial Service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on April 24, 2009, where Charlie will be buried with full military honors.