POWELL, Falvey Charles Chuck, PhD, CDR US Navy (Ret.) Born April 23, 1921 in Leesville, LA; died October 23, 2009 in Omaha. Chuck graduated from Leesville High School in 1938 and on December 31, 1940, enlisted in the Navy. Thus began a 30-year career that took him around the world, beginning on the heavy cruiser, USS Tuscaloosa in the North Atlantic. He became a pilot and qualified to fly 27 types of aircraft. He was awarded the Air Medal for piloting a plane loaded with injured Marines out of the Chosin Reservoir under the most difficult circumstances during the Korean War. He was also a pilot in the Berlin Airlift and considered this his greatest humanitarian achievement. In 1964 Chuck came to Offutt AFB as Flag Aircraft Commander for the Deputy Director, Strategic Target Planning. He retired from the Navy in 1971 with pilot time of nearly 18,000 hours. He joined the faculty at UNOs Gerontology Dept. in 1973, retiring in 2005 as Professor and Community Service Associate. Chuck had a BA from Bellevue University, an MA from University of Oklahoma, and a PhD from University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He was a world traveler, known for his unique itineraries; a student of history with an extensive library; a wine collector and connoisseur; and a Francophile. Chuck was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemary Spear Powell, parents, sister and stepson. He is survived by his wife, Betty G. Foster, PhD; his children: Wynn Powell (husband, Bill Sims), Charles Powell (wife Betsy, children Angus and Ashley), Therese Powell (daughter Rose); stepchildren: Laurie Foster Taylor (husband Jerry, Lauries son Ryan Stowe and wife Teresa, daughters Reese and Iyla, and stepson Chris), Robert C. Foster (wife Trudy, sons Steffen and Tyler), Lisa Foster Dale (husband S. Bruce), Lynne Foster Richard (husband John, children Rachel and Aaron). Chuck will be cremated and ashes scattered over the North Atlantic. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to US Navy Memorial, P. O. Box 96570, Washington, DC 20077; the Chuck Powell Faculty and Student Excellence Fund, Univ. of Neb. Foundation, 2285 S. 67 St., Ste 200, Omaha 68106; or the Omaha Symphony.
HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900
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