Charles David Georgi "slipped the surly bonds of earth*" to be with his God on Dec. 8, 1998. Since Charlie medically retired in 1965, he courageously fought multiple illnesses and diseases--with his wife, Sandy, by his side. Through it all he kept his delightful personality and wonderful sense of humor. We were indeed fortunate to have had him among us these many years.

Charlie was one of the first "blue tags" that I remember talking to shortly after our introduction to the Academy at Lowry AFB in the summer of 1956. Although I do not remember the exact words he spoke I do recall they brought a smile to my face and a warm feeling in my heart; something I needed very much at the time. If it had not been for his great sense of humor and his wonderful ability to share when I needed someone to talk with, I do not believe I would have made it the first year.

Chuck Diver shared fond memories of Charlie also. Chuck said Charlie was consistently "good" and you could depend on him to be the same person if things were not going well or if they were going great. Charlie's sense of humor was present in his every action, thought and deed. He could take a very serious situation and diffuse it with his sense of humor to the point of approaching resolution. His demeanor was such that it approached a point of being graceful though not many of us would admit that to ourselves.

Chuck and I both remember some of Charlie's quiet times but we both recalled his laugh that could be heard throughout our dorm at Lowry. Charlie was also quite an organizer; he could have run a travel agency with ease after all the experience he gained setting up our "time off" activities like midnight bowling on Colfax Avenue. Everyone loved having Charlie in their gatherings. His far-out humor may be best exemplified by the creation of a secret organization called the Four Charlies (Diver, Georgi, Liggett and Upton). They met once!

After graduation Charlie had a hardship assignment flying the C-124 (Old Shakey) out of Hickam AFB which was followed by another tough assignment at Hamilton AFB with the rescue squadron there. After leaving the service, Charlie held a number of jobs. He spent time with Boeing, was a consultant with Arthur Young, was with the Iowa Beef Processors in the industrial engineering area, and also was the director of Engineering for Delmar Window Coverings.

Sandy, Charlie's wife, shared a number of comments by members of his family. One comment by their son Brian stood out, "My Dad was always there for me." Charlie was always there for many of us. We will miss him dearly.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Orange, Calif.; and two sons and adaughter: Doug (wife, Trina) of Temecula, Calif.; Brian, a captain in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany; and Laurie Deckect, (husband, Jeremy) of Dallas, Texas.

(James w. Alexander; '60, with input from Chuck Diver, '60)
* John Gillespie Magee Jr., High Flight