Charles T. Anderson

December 4, 1934- March 26, 2012

Charles Theodore Anderson, 77, husband to Birgit K. Anderson, former husband to Marianne T. Anderson, and father to Charles B. Anderson, Lisa M. Brenner, Jon E. Anderson, Terise L. Anderson, Sheila A. Anderson, and stepfather to Devin G. deMynn died Monday, March 26th at 12:35 pm at Westover Hills hospital in San Antonio after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Chula Vista, CA, son of the late Theodore R. and Nadine (Potter) Anderson, and brother to Gerald Anderson and the late Ross Anderson, he graduated from Chula Vista High School and entered the United States Air Force Officer Candidate School in 1954 shortly after beginning studies in Astronomy at San Diego State University. His distinguished military career began auspiciously as he was awarded Top Gun honors in his fighter training class at Luke Air Force Base in 1956. After flight training, Charles’ first assignment was to Japan and then Korea in 1956 where he flew the F-86. His 43-year marriage to Marianne T. Anderson began in 1958 and he had 4 of his 5 children by the time he was assigned to the 417th Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Ramstein, Germany in 1964. He completed a tour of duty with the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the F-100 Super Sabre at Bien Hoa Airbase in Vietnam in 1967 after 261 combat sorties, and added the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Republic of Viet Nam Commendation Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal to his list of commendations. Returning stateside, he accepted an assignment as a Flight Instructor at Randolph Air Force Base outside San Antonio, followed by an assignment to the Air War College in Montgomery, AL, in 1972 where he also earned a B.A. in Government from Auburn University. He then accepted an accompanied tour with 6th ATAF NATO operations in Izmir, Turkey where he earned his final rank of full Colonel in 1974.Following retirement from the Air Force in 1977, he worked as a consultant to the Pentagon and later to the FAA before retiring to New Mexico. Charles and Marianne divorced in 2001, with Charles remarrying Birgit deMynn in 2006. He was a lifelong amateur astronomer and hobbyist, a born scientist and philosopher, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a builder of amazing tree houses. While living in Santa Fe, NM Charles would be among first to "roll up his sleeves" to support his beloved Republican Party and candidates. "Chuck" and Birgit were active in the Santa Fe County Republican Party and Santa Fe Federated Republican Women until they moved to San Antonio in 2011. He loved travel to distance places and had a special connection to the Native American people and culture of the Southwest. Charles also served as Sr. Vice Commander and Historian for the Military Order of the World Wars, Santa Fe Chapter 209.He was loved and cherished by his three daughters, Lisa Marie Brenner of Los Alamos, NM, Terise Louise Anderson of Richmond, VA, and Sheila Anne Anderson of Savannah, GA; two sons, Charles Bruce Anderson of Blacksburg, VA, and Jon Eric Anderson of Oxford, FL; stepson Devin Geoffrey DeMynn of Kansas City, KS; a brother, Gerald Anderson of NM; six granddaughters and four grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed as husband, father, brother, colleague, teacher, sailor, soldier, and wingman, and his passionate devotion to duty, honor, and country will be long remembered. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, April 9, 2012 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home. Graveside service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., 78209; with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.