More detail on this person: Robert "Bob"
Lemule Charters was born April 5, 1941 in Boise,
ID to Robert W. and Goldie (Chapman) Charters. He
spent the first four years on his Grandfather's
ranch in Garden Valley, ID. Bob graduated from the
8th grade in Melba, ID and graduated high school
in Emmett, ID. He joined the Idaho Army National
Guard in December, 1959 and did his six months
basic training at Fort Ord, CA. He graduated from
the NCO academy, The Idaho Military Academy,
Armor Officers Orientation Course and the Army
Helicopter Flight School. Returning to Mineral
Wells, TX at Camp Walters. TX as a helicopter
flight instructor with Southern Airways. He was
then hired by Air America as a civilian helicopter
pilot in Vietnam and Laos. Bob flew in Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands, Alaska on the pipeline, and
northern western states on forest fires. He also
flew in Burma, Indonesia for oil exploration and
Thailand before returning back to Idaho and
rejoining the Idaho Army National Guard retiring
with 27 years of service. Bob was hired by the U.
S. Postal Service retiring after 22 years of
service. He married Jane Myrick in August, 1963
and one son was born to this union. They later
divorced. Bob met Phyllis Barber at a dance and
they married in Idaho City, Idaho in 1984. Bob's
Son and Phyllis' Son were Best Men and Phyllis'
Daughter was Maid of Honor. They honeymooned in
Seattle and the Vancouver B.C. area exploring the
San Juan Islands. Bob enjoyed flying, a lifelong
love and golfing which he took up at the age of 49
and was never a threat to Greg Norman. He enjoyed
doing things for people, hearing and telling jokes
as well as attending the Air America reunions held
in a different state every year whenever it was
possible. Bob loved doing things with his wife
especially golfing and traveling. His greatest
delight was his five Grandchildren; Bradley, Jake,
Jordan, Peyton and McCall. Bob fulfilled his dream
and joined the Masonic Lodge Oriental # 60,
Scottish Rite Bodies, and the El Korah Shrine in
1979 and later the Meridian Masonic Lodge # 47.
Bob was President of the Greeters, held a position
on the Divan and later was appointed Ambassador
for the Shrine. He was preceded in death by his
Parents, Bob and Goldie Charters, Brothers Edgar
and Randy. He is survived by his Wife, Phyllis,
Son Brandt Charters (Jill), Grandsons; Bradley and
Jake, Son by Marriage Michael Scott Barber,
Granddaughters; Jordan, and McCall, Daughter by
Marriage, Sandi Anders, Granddaughter, Peyton
Anders Glover. His Brother Richard Charters
(Barbara), Sister-in-Law, Linda Charters, many
Nieces and Nephews. Bob died June 6, 2012 at his
home in Nampa. He fought an eleven year battle
with cancer and would like to thank Dr. Jonathan
Swerdloff, Dr. Sarah Bolender, Dr. Frank Johnson,
and Dr. Marshall Priest for the excellent care he
received over the years. He would also like to
thank the MSTI nurses at St. Luke's who took such
good care of him. He enjoyed the Warhawk Air
Museum, his membership in the QB's, his many
friends John Tuso, Sandy Sanders, Roland and
Barbara Bright, Dennis Charters, Larry Bates, the
neighbors of the Greens at Ridgecrest who helped
him a lot, and his many numerous friends at the
Shrine, in the military and post office. He will
be missed by his three Pugs; Chopper, Dolly and
Kaylee. A memorial service will be Monday, June
11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Summers Funeral Home,
1205 W. Bannock Street, Boise. A reception will
follow at the El Korah Shrine Temple. Inurnment
services will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Idaho State
Veterans Cemetery. Donations may be made to the
Shrine Hospital for Children or the Warhawk Air
Museum.
Published in Idaho Statesman on June 9, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association