Chuck Harris...The Passing of a Friend! (2 Viewers)

[Beaufighter]

Fellow Forum Squadron Members,

I am sorry to report the passing of a fine gentleman and fellow TF Forum member, Chuck Harris. I received a message from his step daughter, Sara stating that he "Flew North" on 14 February.

Here are her words..."He passed away from his long standing illnesses, he hadn't been well in about a year. His body chemistry just got all messed up and his body begun to shut down. He did go very peacefully surrounded by his whole family everyday for the week he was in ICU. We are extremely sad he has left us but grateful that he doesn't suffer anymore."

She now has the daunting task of selling off his Toy Soldier & train collection to help out his wife Nancy. Sara is selling under the new eBay USER ID of butterflylover2345. I am going to try and help her sort through some of his extensive collection. Hopefully some of us can help her family out via the love of this wonderful hobby!

For Chuck...

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

 

[jazzeum]

Well, I'm very sorry to hear that. Chuck was a fine person, as good as a friend you could ever wish to have. He had a deep southern accent and lived in Memphis and was always there with a good word. He, unfortunately, had not been well for several years. He was one of the original members of the Forum but had not posted in awhile. Those of you who did not know him would have loved him. Men of his kind don't come around often. He will be missed but he's probably in a better place now.

God bless you Chuck.

Your bud.

 

[agmtanks]

I also am very sad to hear about this, and my thoughts go out to his family. Chuck was a Veteran of the Vietnam War and served our Country with Honor. I talked with him many times over he phone and he always had some amazing stories to tell about his days of flying helicopters with the Green Berets in Laos and Cambodia. May Peace be with you Chuck, Andy Moffat

 

[jazzeum]

Like Andy said, Chuck served in Vietnam and some of his later medical problems were due to his war injuries.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

To echo what Brad said Chuck was a fine man and always was happy to chat on the phone. I had a few nice conversations with him and am sorry to see this news. He will be missed.

Rest in Peace Chuck!

Dave

 

[wayne556517]

Sad news RIP mate.

 

[ucla1967]

What sad news. I remember having a very long telephone conversation with him several years ago about toy soldiers and military service. Rest in Peace, Chuck.

 

[Rob]

Very sad news R.I.P.

Rob

 

[OzDigger]

Very sorry to hear about the passing of Chuck, he was a true gentleman.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I am so saddened by Chuck's passing. I spoke to him on the phone in late January (we spoke about once a month), and he was happy to still be "on the right side of the grass" despite his longstanding illness. He sent me a wonderful book written by a fellow Vietnam veteran that he said really caught his feelings about combat as a Christmas present this past X-mas.

We always made a point of calling him from the Chicago Show, and the Symposium, so he could feel a part of everything despite the limitations on his body imposed by his long service in South East Asia. He was a good friend and a great gentleman, and this year's Symposium will be dedicated to his memory. For those of you attending, we will all stand a drink to Chuck's memory at the opening dinner Friday night.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Chuck-

thank you sir for your honorable service to our nation and your down to earth personality. I will always treasure the discussions we had and you will always be remembered as a warrior. I got far more from our friendship than you ever got from me.

STANDS ALONE!!
CC

 

[aujj65]

I too am very sorry to hear about Chuck. When I first joined this forum back in September 2005 Chuck actually phoned me (from the States to England) to enquire whether I lived near a friend of his. We spoke a couple more times about our common hobby. Shame and very sad news and my sympathies go out to his family.

Jeff

 

[Buster]

Condolences to the family and friends of Chuck Harris. Thank you for your service Chuck, RIP.

Buster.

 

[Leadmen]

My condolences to Chuck's family. I talked with him a few times through the years and he was a fine gentleman with a passion for our hobby. Rest in peace Chuck. John

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Sad news indeed. Like many have said Chuck was a great guy with some great stories. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Rest in peace Chuck. Someday the rest of us will join you and talk toy soldiers once again!

 

[damian]

I am saddened to hear this news.

 

[Wraith]

I'm saddened to hear the news of Chuck's passing, but glad to have had a number of telephone conversations over the years. As others have said, Chuck was a true gentleman with a life experience that would put any current biography to shame. They don't make 'em like him anymore.
My thoughts are with Chuck's family and I hope the view is just as good from the other side of the grass.

Simon

 

[lancer]

I did not know Chuck Harris, but it is obvious many of you did and that he meant a lot to you all. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. My condolences to his family, as well. RIP. -- Al

 

[arnhem44mad]

I just seen this, this has really upset me! Chuck and I pm'd each other now and then and he was one of the kindest people anyone could ever talk to!:redface2:

Rest In Peace my friend! Gone But Never Forgotten!

Scott

 

[tdubel]

I was only able to speak with Chuck a few times on the phone and never (unfortunately) got to meet him in person. He was a super nice guy and an all around pleasure to communicate with. Chuck also provided to my collection a special piece that I will always hold on to as it has a story of where it came from. Even if I quit WW2 collecting all together, this piece would remain.

Chuck was the epitome of what the hobby is about.

Tom