More detail on this person:
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of
retired CW4 Charles H. Astrike Jr., 82, of
Fayetteville, after a two month battle with
cancer. Charlie died peacefully at home on Monday,
June 8, 2015, surrounded by family. He fought
cancer with the same courage, dignity and strength
of character that he brought to his life.
Charlie was born May 18, 1933 in Huntingburg, Ind.
He met the love of his life, the late Colleen
Astrike, in elementary school. They married on
June 4, 1953 and began their 59-year journey
together.
Charlie was drafted into the Army in 1954. He
often said that when he was training as a
paratrooper he thought the smartest soldier
onboard was the pilot, because he didn't have to
jump out of a perfectly good plane. He was
encouraged to sign up for flight school and so
began his distinguished Army aviation career. He
graduated from the Warrant Officer Flight Training
Program in 1956. His first aviation assignment was
in Fort Riley, Kan., for two years followed by one
year in the Republic of Korea flying H-21's. His
career continued with posts at Fort Knox, Ky.;
Illesheim, Germany; and Fort Rucker, Ala., where
he joined the Flight Standardization Division. In
1965, Charlie was singled out as the "Most
Outstanding Instructor Pilot," at Fort Rucker.
Charlie had a gift for flying helicopters and
loved sharing his knowledge and skills with
trainees.
From 1966-1967, Charlie flew CH-47's in South
Vietnam. In October 1969, Charlie was selected for
assignment at Fort Belvoir, Va. He became Gen.
Westmoreland's personal pilot during
Westmoreland's time as the Army chief of staff.
One of the highlights of his distinguished career
was being the instructor pilot for Gen.
Westmoreland, Gen. Abrams and Gen. Weyland.
Charlie was soon appointed as chief of the Flight
Training Division at Davidson Army Airfield, where
he was responsible for orchestrating the aviation
training of more than 850 army aviators.
In March 1976, Charlie retired from active duty.
His total active duty career was comprised of
22years active duty and included awards of the
Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf
Cluster, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
and one Oak Leaf Cluster, a Bronze Star Medal, the
Air Medal with 23 Oak Leaf Clusters and several
Army Commendation Medals. Charlie accumulated
more than 10,000 hours flying time with 8,000 of
those as instructor pilot and 5,000 hours of
multi-engine both fixed wing and rotary wing.
Charlie also holds an FAA civilian CFII rating.
Just 10 months away from active duty, Charlie
returned to aviation, only this time as an Army
civilian. In February 1977, Charlie began
instructing in the 2B24-UH-1 Flight Simulator at
Fort Bragg. For the next five years, Charlie
instructed pilots in instrument procedures and was
eventually selected to be the instrument flight
examiner for the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort
Bragg Flight Safety and Standardization Branch.
In addition to a distinguished military and
civilian aviation career, Charlie became very
involved as a church and community volunteer.
Charlie served as a dedicated member and Sunday
school teacher for many years at Camp Ground
United Methodist Church, served as chair of the
Council on Ministries, and was a member of the
Board of Trustees, Administrative, Finance and
Staff Parish Relations Committee. He also served
on the Board of Ordained Ministries and the
Council on Finance and Administration for the
North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist
Church. He was a member of the City of
Fayetteville Planning Commission in 1996, 2002,
2004 and 2007, and served two terms as chair. He
served on the Board of Appearance in 1999 and
Board of Adjustment since 2012.
While his professional and civic life was filled
with numerous distinctions and awards, his
greatest accomplishment (in his own eyes) was his
role as a loving husband, father, grandfather and
great-grandfather. Charlie and Colleen had a long
and loving marriage that set an example of
loyalty, playfulness and commitment that has
inspired family and friends alike. As a father,
Charlie guided his daughters with wisdom,
kindness, strength and protection. And as a
grandfather, Charlie served as a loving
confidante, demonstrating his pride for his
grandchildren at every opportunity. His family
will miss him deeply but will carry forward his
devotion to family and friends.
Charlie is survived by daughters, Marsha Astrike
Kouba, (Dr. Steve Kouba), Nancy Astrike (Joan
Davis); grandchildren, Jessica Kouba Klenzak (Dr.
Scott Klenzak), Stephen Kouba (Katie Sullivan)
Emma and Evan Astrike-Davis; and
great-grandchildren, Audrey, Molly and Kevin
Klenzak.
The family would like to thank our many friends,
family and co-workers, Home Instead Senior Care,
Liberty Hospice, Camp Ground United Methodist
Church and all his supporters at the Healthplex
for your continued help throughout dad's illness.
Your visits, kind words and prayers have carried
our family through this most difficult journey.
Cleared for takeoff dad; time to soar!
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023
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