Major Charles William "Chuck" Dwyer USAF, Ret.

On Sunday July 3, Major Charles William "Chuck" Dwyer, USAF Ret. made his final flight into the arms of his Lord. Mourning his passing but celebrating his life are his wife of 50 years, Sammie Gayle (Rue) Dwyer, their children Stephan Michael O'Dwyer and wife Judy, Jeffrey Thomas Dwyer and wife Maria, Christopher Rue Dwyer, Michelle vonRosenberg and husband Karl, and Jennifer Ellen Dwyer. The delight of his life were his six grandchildren Michael Dwyer, Dillan Pesquera, Kelsey vonRosenberg, Charles vonRosenberg, Ethan Dwyer, and Aiden O'Dwyer. Chuck is also survived by two of his 5 brothers, Paul Dwyer and Michael Dwyer.

Chuck was a real live nephew of his Uncle Sam, born on the 4th of July, 1931. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and retired with the rank of Major after 20 years of service. He piloted KC-97 and KC-135 tankers in refueling missions and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. After retirement, he moved with his family to Austin. There he volunteered as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, flying search and rescue missions. He developed many lasting friendships with his band of flying brothers in the CAP.

Chuck also served 20 years as a carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, often gleaning edible tokens from grateful patrons. Chuck relished a great piece of cake! Although a Yankee by birth, Chuck loved Southern food and just happened to be married to one of the best Cajun cooks this side of the Sabine.

In addition to his love of family, flying and food, Chuck loved to shop and could sniff out a bargain in the tool department at Sears that amazed even the sales staff. His car? Well, he loved that, too. You didn't eat, drink, smoke or make a mess in his car. But when you got to ride in it, you felt like royalty--it was that pristine.

His beer. There's a difference between a beer drinker and a true connoisseur. Chuck was definitely the latter. In a restaurant, many a hapless waiter hoping to take a quick drink order, found himself reciting a litany of available brews until arriving at just the right one. And sometimes, it just wasn't on the list! Chuck knew them all, and then some. After all, he was a proud Irishman.

Sammie and their children are grateful to the gentle caregivers who made Chuck's final flight an easier journey. Notably, the caring staff at Arveda in Buda and the compassionate nurses in the ER and on the 5th floor at St. David's Hospital.

Father Charles Kullman of St. Austin's Parish gave Chuck's pre-flight benediction the evening of July 2 surrounded by his loving family.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the evening until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 4th of July at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin TX. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at nine o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 5th of July at St. Austin's Catholic Church, 2026 Guadalupe Street Austin TX with Father Charles Kullman as celebrant. Interment with full military honors will be under the spreading oaks in a country cemetery in Maxie, Louisiana at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 6th of July.