Charles Kieffer

CHARLES ("Chuck") KIEFFER , 71, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 9, 2011 in the Oro Valley Hospital in Oro Valley, AZ. Chuck grew up in the Wheatland, North Dakota area attending grade school in Wheatland and Shanley High School in Fargo, graduating in 1957. He attended North Dakota State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture engineering, June 1963. Following graduation he entered the Army as a reserve officer and attended Transportation Officers Training at Ft. Eustace, Virginia followed by US Army Flight Training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Then he was assigned to the 6th Army at Ft. Lewis, Washington as a fixed wing aviator before his next assignment to Vietnam where he flew L-19 single engine observation aircraft in combat zones. He completed his active duty the summer of 1966 with service medals including: the Air Medal - 8th OLC, the Army Aviator Badge, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1967 he joined Braniff International Airline and flew 727's. When Braniff went through a reorganization, Chuck was furloughed for a couple of years. During this time he embarked on a secondary occupation of acquiring and re-finishing antique furniture. He continued to fly for Braniff until their final closure in 1989. He then joined Air Berlin where he flew B737s all over Western Europe. In 1991 he was hired by Southwest Airlines where he continued to fly 737s and retired as a Captain in July of 1999. Several years after retirement, Chuck left his long time roots in Dallas to settle in Vistoso Village, a close-knit community in Oro Valley, AZ. There he became very active with their home-owner association and community activities. He soon became a friendly "helping hand" in the community. He continued to pursue his passion for golf and became active in their hiking club and enjoyed traveling with various friends in the community. Chuck had an amazing capacity to meet people and compassion to help others. He would go "overboard" as one friend conveyed to help family and friends. A close friend wrote, "Charlie was a friend to anyone he met and could always be depended on for this friendship." He stayed true to his roots as a North Dakota farm boy. He will be missed by his many friends. Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Stella and Raymond Kieffer, stepmother Irene Yunker Kieffer, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his brother Jerold (Kathy) Kieffer of Tucson, AZ, sister Colleen Rott of Bonney Lake, WA, and sister Donna (Chuck) Primozich of Norway, Maine and several beloved nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life in memory of Chuck will be held on February 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Vistoso Village Club House, 13401 N Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley, AZ followed by a reception at the Vistoso Village Club House. A Mass celebrating his life will be said on March 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Leo's Parish, 211 N. Langer, Casselton, North Dakota with a reception to follow in the church Spirit of Life Center.