Charles Machen Jr.

C. Philip Machen Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Charles Philip Machen Jr. of Westminster Canterbury died there in Hoy Center early Saturday morning, Aug. 7, 2010, while his loving wife held his hand. A native of Norfolk, he was the son of the late C. Philip and Marion Williams Machen and brother to the late Jean Machen Wescott. At the early age of 15, he drove the Mexican Consul and family to Washington, D.C., in the Consul's brand new car! That was the beginning of his passion for cars and later airplanes and boats! Upon his graduation from Maury High School in Norfolk, he attended the division of William & Mary/VPI before enlisting in the Army Air Corps Cadet program (Class 44G). On Aug. 4, 1944, he earned his wings and was commissioned active as a pilot; the war ended in 1945. He joined the 4th Fighter Group U.S. Air Force Reserve Unit at Langley Field, Virginia, and to The College of William and Mary and received his degree in economics in 1949. On July 1, 1955, he moved to the U.S. Army National Guard, unit Richmond, Va., as one of their pilots. He remained in the Guard, refusing advancement in order to keep on flying. He completed the required years of service and went on Retired Reserve in 1971. His full retirement at age 60 on Sept. 24, 1984. Phil has more than 32 years service in the Navy area in Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., Pensacola, Fla., and Portsmouth - determining salary and wage levels for both salaried and hourly employees in a variety of industrial and non-industrial organizations. For 14 years, he served as deputy director of the Southern Field Division Navy Regional Office, serving a civilian population of 100,000 employees in 15 states plus Newfoundland, Iceland, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, responsible for 42 personnel specialists and clerical support providing the whole gamut of human resources. He also served as civilian personnel manager for commander-in-chief LantFleet. During his career, he earned many awards including the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and Superior Accomplishment Awards for special assignments. At his retirement the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations said, "Navy was losing one of the last of a small group of employees who have had such a depth and variety of experience in total Navy organization and operation." After retirement he and his wife formed Cavalier Consultants Inc., contracting Human Resource projects plus four years with Applied Management Engineering, PC. Phil also volunteered more than 25 years for Chartway Federal Credit Union on the Personnel Policies Committee and was Chairman of the Board of Newtown Associates a subsidiary of Chartway. In addition to flying, Phil loved boating and fishing. Of all his boats 15' to 38', his favorite was his 31' Trojan Sportsfisherman. He is a member of Calvin Presbyterian Church , Norfolk and was active there -Deacon, Elder, and Sunday school teacher as long as he was able. He is survived by his wife of 36-plus years, Bettye Phillips Machen; his son, C. Philip Machen III and wife Patti of Centre, Ala.; his daughter, Susan Gentry and husband Bobby of Nags Head, N.C.; and his daughter, Betsy Carmack and husband Mark of Virginia Beach; four grandchildren, April, Michelle, Samantha and Joseph; two step grandchildren, Andrea and Sarah; two great-grandchildren, Jack and Ella; and three step great -grandchildren, Cameron, Savannah and Garrett. Also his special cousin, Col. Nelson Voke and wife Rita; a nephew, Bill Wescott and wife Anne; and cousin, Ira White and wife Susan. The family would like to thank all the many caring doctors, nurses, caregivers, and Odyssey Hospice staff who provided his care the past seven years especially the staff at Hoy Center. The family will receive friends at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts, Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, on Thursday, Aug. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. Private interment at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Princess Anne Memorial Park. A celebration of Phil's Life will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Westminster Canterbury with the Rev. Dan Dickinson officiating. A reception will follow in the Anderson Bayview Room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Foundation, 3100 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.