Charles R. Witmer

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on June 22, 2011:

Born November 6, 1927 -- Died June 15, 2011 Charles Russell "Charlie" Witmer, Jr. was born in Sellersville, Pennsylvania on 6 November 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the 8th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Painting, music and femmes have been the mainstays of Charlie's free time these four grey years. Beauty is only part of his real interest, however. A fixed belief in not only doing a good job but of doing the best possible one has characterized him as the friend and leader whom we have been proud to know, and whom we are confident will have outstanding success in everything he does." During his cadet days Charlie was with the Ski Club all four years; went out for Track plebe year; was with the Art Club yearling, cow and first class year and became President of the Club; was with the Howitzer Staff as Art Editor cow and first class year; was on the Policy Committee first class year; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Charlie went in the Air Force and after flying training reported to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Korea from 1953 to 1954 and was decorated with the Air Medal for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. From 1954 to 1955 Charlie served as Air Operations Officer with the 20th Tactical Air Command Reconnaissance Squadron; served as such until 1955 when he resigned his com-mission as a First Lieutenant but remained in the United States Air Force Reserve. After leaving active duty Charlie became Director of Coating Technology with Eastman Kodak Company from where he retired in 1990. Charlie and his wife Julia made their home in Rochester, New York. The November 1997 Assembly noted that "Charlie and Julia travel extensively and Charlie spends his free time painting, woodworking, golfing, and e-mailing. Son Charlie and wife Miriam live in Tallahasse, FL, where she is a midwife and he is in charge of music at the local Methodist church. Son Bill and wife Astrid live in Bangor, ME, where she is an intensive care nurse and he is a cardiologist." On 6-20-11 classmage Jim Guyer wrote, "Charles Russel Witmer, Jr., father of local musician Charlie Witmer, graduated from West Point USMA Class of 1951. He joined the Air Force and flew some of the first Saberjets in the Korean War. Marrying his lifetime love Julia Thatcher in 1955 he moved to Rochester New York to raise his family and worked for Eastman Kodak Co. as a chemical engineer. In 2009, he and Julia moved to St. Augustine Plantation in Tallahassee, Florida near his son Charlie's family. Charles was a kind gentle soul, passionate about life from music and the Arts to his wife and family and God. He died June 15, 2011 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Julia Thatcher Witmer and his two sons Charlie and Bill and their families. Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 2919 Miccosukee Rd., Tallahassee on Saturday June 18, 2011 at 4 pm. Memorial donations can be made to Grace Lutheran Church Music Program 2919 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee Florida 32308 850-877-5423.

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