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<p><em>Charles William “Chuck” Anderson</em> was born in Fort Worth, TX to O.W. and Julia Anderson on April 29, 1947. In May 1964 he graduated from Richland High School, where he was a member of the rifle team. In 10th grade English, Chuck read a book titled West Point Today, which, in his own words, he “ended up emotionally signed up for the duration.” He was hooked.</p>
<p>Like many of his future classmates, he was not admitted on his first try. Chuck spent a year as a “Fish” at Texas A&M University. The following year Congressman Jim Wright, a future speaker of the House of Representatives, appointed him to West Point with the Class of 1969. Because of his experiences at Texas A&M, Beast Barracks was less of a challenge for Chuck than for most of his new classmates. Chuck spent so much time reminiscing about A&M, his Beast roommate replaced Navy with A&M in his copy of Bugle Notes. Academic departments were no challenge for Chuck. He wore stars on his collar and graduated as a distinguished cadet. He ranked 22nd out of 800 graduates. Chuck spent many hours helping other cadets with their academic battles. His Howitzer entry included the following entry: “Goats of all classes owed many tenths to the long-suffering patience of Andy.” In his free time, Chuck focused on the Rifle Team and the Rifle Club. But the cadet gymnasium was his nemesis. Sunday afternoons often ended with a practice run on the Indoor Obstacle Course to stay below the PE Department’s radar. Chuck chose to be commissioned into the Air Defense Artillery, a new branch being formed out of the Field Artillery. After graduation, Chuck continued to pursue his academic interests by earning an M.S. in industrial engineering from the University of Houston. He also earned an MBA from the University of Texas, El Paso.</p>
<p>Active-duty service included two tours with the staff and faculty of the Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Bliss, TX and an overseas tour in Korea as a battery commander with the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. While at Fort Bliss, he coached both flag football and softball teams. The championship football team was known as the “Purple People Eaters,” as Chuck could only find purple jerseys that came in enough different sizes to fit the team.</p>
<p>His civilian career centered on computer-based military weapons and force simulations. As Chuck said, “I discovered a knack as a contractor program manager for leading diverse personalities amid teams of software engineers as we built large models and more complex simulations to support soldier training systems.” In retirement, he continued to mentor and help his former teammates. Throughout his life—at West Point, in uniform, and as a civilian contractor—Chuck always looked for ways to help others, which endeared him to all who knew him.</p>
<p>Chuck married “the love of his life,” Betty Anderson, at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Keller, TX on July 4, 1992. He would often tell others that Betty saved his life. She gave him the love and stability that had been missing for years. Together, they built a loving home for their blended families. The two of them traveled the world together. They enjoyed traveling with classmates and seeing others at reunions. As a devout Christian, Chuck was an active member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Orlando, FL, where he continued to embody his unique spirit of service, always willing to lend a hand or a listening ear to those in need. He leaves behind his loving wife, Betty, and their children: Rowan, Blythe, Robby, and Dawn; and grandchildren, Lilli Mae Bramley and Caroline Elizabeth Bramley.</p>
<p>The following words from classmate and B-3 companymate Mike Jones help to illuminate Chuck’s life: “Like most of his West Point classmates, Chuck was capable, hardworking, humble, and loyal to a fault; but there was just something else that made him the guy who always spread joy among the rest of us whenever we met, sometimes after not seeing him for decades. Maybe it was his dry, self-deprecating sense of humor, maybe his laid-back manner, or maybe some combination of these and other traits. Regardless, he and Betty were always the ones we most joyously anticipated seeing at any gathering of classmates. Then, even after years of separation, it seemed that we had only been apart for about 10 minutes. Afterward, they were always those [whom] you remembered most fondly. The hardest part of knowing Chuck was that because he brought so much joy to those around him, he will be…sorely missed.”</p>
<p><em>And when our work is done,</em><br /><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our course on earth is run,<br /></span>May it be said, “Well done:</em><br /><em>Be thou at peace.”</em></p>
<p><em>— Family and Classmates</em></p>
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