Aeby, Charles Allen
Dr. Charles Allen Aeby died Feb. 22, 2017 at SHARP Grossmont Hospital Rehabilitation Center in La Mesa, CA. He was vacationing in San Diego.
Chuck was born on October 23,
1939 to Audrey (Bud) Learn Aeby and Stella Emily Wickiser in Santa Fe, NM. They moved to be closer to family in Mound City, MO where he spent most of his school years. He was graduated from Los Alamos High School in Los Alamos, NM, and completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He began working at Kirtland Air Force Base as a civilian in their Weapons Laboratory prior to graduating.
He married Marjorie Ann Roberts on June 21, 1962 in Los Alamos, NM. They have two daughters, Katherine Marie Aeby and Cynthia Elaine (Aeby) Freeman. Chuck continued his education at UNM and completed a Master of Science in Physics and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering. He also continued his employment at Kirtland Air Force Base for the better part of 35 years, moving up through the civilian ranks to eventually equal the level of a Colonel. In March 1998, Chuck was presented the Peter H. Haas Award for his technical leadership and management of space systems’ survivability. In essence, Chuck led an effort to perform a complete end to end assessment of multi-billion dollar satellites prior to their deployment; and completed analysis of individual GPS components, circuits, subsystems and materials to determine their response to the entire spectrum of threats: nuclear, lasers and radio frequency sources.
He enjoyed life and thought it “was interesting” up until he died. His contributions and loves included: coaching his daughters’ soccer teams; being an eld er/deacon in his churches; participating in and setting up Stephen Ministries; volunteering as a Chaplain in the local hospital; camping, hiking, snowshoeing and gardening; golf; travel; singing; and percussion.
He had a deep, abiding faith in his Lord and his hope in life was that everyone he knew and loved would also. He loved his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Margie (1/7/1991), his sister (Audrey (Ann) Ingram
6/6/1995) and his parents. After Margie died, Chuck married Margaret Ann Suber. She preceded him in death (1998).
On August 3, 2002 he married Claudia Estelle Taylor. They moved to Cornville, AZ to build a new home and live within a golf community. There they found new friends while maintaining bonds with ABQ friends; new activities to pursue and new interests. They have lived there for 6 1/2 years.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 14 1/2 years Claudia Estelle Taylor Aeby; his daughters, Katherine Aeby (Durango, CO) and Cynthia Freeman ((John) Darryl of Austin, TX); his step daughter Genelle Rudd (Michael of Amherst, MA) and step son Jamie Gordon (Stacey of Ellensburg, WA) and their children; niece Lisa Lewis (Jeff of Ft. Worth, TX); previous step children (Maggie); and an extended family of great aunts, cousins and life long friends.
There will be two services commemorating Chuck’s life. One in Cottonwood, AZ on March 25, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the Verde Community Church and the second in Albuquerque, NM at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m. on April 22, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Verde Valley Christian School; House of Ruth; or Stephen Ministries in Cottonwood, AZ; and/or FCS Formation Counseling Services, Sycamore DLD School; or the UNM Foundation School of Engineering in Albuquerque, NM.
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