Engineer – Fire Station 72
Deceased:
01/15/2021
Appointed:
04/13/1968
Pensioned:
09/03/1994 – FS72
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Charlie and I first met as rookies at old 25’s on Whittier Blvd, 1969. He had a unique personality. He was fun loving and funny. We were both transferred to F.S.2 on the “B” after a couple of years. Charlie and I and a few others studied for Engineer together. we all promoted in 1974-75. When we promoted, that split us up, and we never worked together again. Before that happened, our young families bonded together, and we enjoyed may fun camping and ski boat trips together. Later on, about 1990, I worked a SOD day at F.S. 72, and Charlie was there . We talked over the old days, and I left the next morning. I never saw him again. After he retired in 1994, I tried to locate him a few times with no success. I heard he had moved to northern California. I thought of him often. He passed away in what looks like a beautiful part of Montana. RIP Charlie.
Hi Wayne. It’s Casey Clair replying to your post here. It’s hard to believe Charlie is gone. End of an era. His wife of over 30 years, Val, took excellent care of him and they were very happy. Charlie and Val and my husband, Chris, and I all made peace many years ago and I called Val my “wife-in-law”. It was a good relationship. They were very supportive when we lost Melanie (my oldest daughter) five years ago to pancreatic cancer. It was unimaginable and it’s a horrific disease but Charlie came all the way from Montana to see her in the hospital the day she passed. She opened her eyes and smiled, she was very happy to see him. Tiffany, our younger daughter, is an LAPD officer and has been for 17 years. She’s off duty right now with post covid effects for awhile. I think it was you who left me a review on Goodreads? If so, thanks for reading my book. I remember great times with you and Barbara and all the kids camping on the river. Another lifetime. Hope all is well with you and your family. Chris and I are still working and enjoying it. Wishing you all the best. In case you want to reply to me, my email is caseymaxwellclair@gmail.com
Worked with Charlie at 72’s, good guy and a good engineer. Rest in peace Charlie.
Charlie was an excellent Engineer and a fun person to be around. He loved what he did and he enjoyed life to the fullest. When E-72 received a new 1982 Seagrave Triple, he and Mike Sauber decided to doll up the rig with “a few extras”. The end result was an apparatus that most who saw it agreed that was a show-stopper. All of the beautification was financed by Charlie and Mike. The legendary Von Dutch was impressed enough with the rig that he agreed to pin-stripe it. The apparatus was placed on display at the LA Convention Center during a national Fire Service .Event. and was on the cover of various fire service trade magazines.
My condolences to Valerie and his family.
I worked with Charlie twice at FS 72. Fun loving and cool under pressure. One of the Three Musketeers … Jim Agee (RIP) and Larry Taylor. What a crew!!
Rest in Pease Charlie