Charles Nicholas DeRose Jr.

LT Colonel, US Army (Ret)

October 20, 1932 - June 7, 2017

On June 7, 2017, peacefully in his sleep. In his recliner. After watching a baseball game.

Charles Nicholas DeRose was born in Washington, PA. He was one of three sons born to Charles and Irene DeRose. He dreamed of playing major league baseball and played on a farm team for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was drafted into the US Army in 1953 and was accepted to Officer Candidate School. He served in Korea and Vietnam in the Army Corps of Engineers. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces (1966-67), the Army Commendation Medal (1970), and the Legion of Merit Medal (1973).

He married Barbara Gettig on December 19, 1953, and they had three sons, each five years apart.

Chuck was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered as a true gentleman, always at the ready with a compliment or helping hand. He wore many hats during his lifetime. Serving in the US Army, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1976. He went on to work in the offset printing business and then obtained his license to work in commercial real estate management. During this time, he and Barbara founded a small business manufacturing and selling outdoor furniture and decor. They closed this business after ten years only to form Monarch Travel & Cruises and this kept them both quite busy with work and travel. They had the opportunity to travel to the ends of the earth and back, and enjoyed every minute!

Another of Chuck’s loves was the water. In the late 1970’s he resurrected an old Steel Craft 47 cabin cruiser that had sunk to the bottom of the marina. He fully restored her and named her “Bunch of Roses”. We enjoyed that boat for probably close to a decade, during which time Chuck also served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Chuck also had a passion for wine. He took every course he could to learn about the craft of winemaking, and he successfully made quite a few of his own vintage. We will cherish those remaining bottles!

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara (Gettig), three sons Craig (Andi), Mark (Deirdre) and Eric (Cressie), and grandchildren Christopher, Mara, Jessica, Nicholas, Courtney and Sean, and his brother Robert DeRose.

He is predeceased by his brother Francis and his mother, Irene and his father, Charles.

Pap Pap, we will miss you!

A visitation will be held Thursday, June 15 from 4 to 7pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151

His memorial service and burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery a later date.

For donations to the Charles DeRose Memorial:

National Museum of the U.S. Army

2425 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, VA 22201

For online memorial gifts, use the “Donate” button at the following link:

www.armyhistory.org