CDR Charles A. Wenger, USN (Retired) (January 2017)

​CDR Charles A. "Chuck" Wenger, 76, passed into the presence of our Lord on January 8, 2017. Chuck was born on August 23, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio. As a child, he and his parents, Webster and Rhea Wenger, moved to the quiet city of La Verne, CA where his family would make their home for the remainder of Chuck's childhood. As an only child, he would enjoy time with his parents, working on cars, playing football and became very involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He earned his Eagle Scout award on February 22, 1955. Chuck attended La Verne College, where he earned his Bachelor degree in 1963 and intended to become a teacher.
However, with the United States completely involved with the Vietnam War, Chuck changed his course and ultimately his life when he enrolled in the United States Navy's Officer Candidate School. He received his Navy commission in 1964. Chuck wanted to fly and became a Naval Flight Officer aboard the E-2B and E-2C Hawkeye. Over the course of fifteen months in South East Asia, he flew 110 combat missions. He was credited for saving six lives and was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. Chuck worked his way up the chain of command, serving on four aircraft carriers and multiple commands. His final carrier assignment was as the Executive Officer on the USS Forrestal. He moved to Ramona in 1981, as he transferred to shore duty with the assignment of Executive Officer of the Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific. He retired at the rank of Commander on September 1, 1985.

In the years after, Chuck served as a Pop Warner coach, Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster and a deacon and elder of the First Christian Church of Ramona. In addition, Chuck was an active member of the local chapter of the Gideons International Ministry, where he served the Lord for many years. He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Penny; six children, Kimberly, Kristina, Kirk, Kent, Kyle, and Kole; and 14 grandchildren.In lieu of flowers, our family requests that a donation be made in his name (Chuck Wenger) to the Gideon ministry. The cards and information are available by calling the First Christian Church of Ramona, at (760) 789-2371.
Chuck was laid to rest with full military honors at Miramar National Cemetery.

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