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<em>Charles (Chuck) Bagstad</em>, son of Carl and Minnie Bagstad, was born on a farm outside Mission Hill, South Dakota on 23 June 1917. Growing up in a Norwegian neighborhood, Chuck participated in all school activities and was an exceptional student. After high school, he entered Yankton College, Yankton, South Dakota, where he spent two years.</p>
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During the second year at Yankton, Chuck took the qualifying examinations for Annapolis and West Point and won acceptance to both. He always said he chose West Point because the entry date was a month later than Annapolis, thus leaving him one more month at home with his folks.</p>
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At West Point, Chuck found academics a breeze. With no apparent effort, he maintained a position in the upper quarter of the class and thus spent a good portion of his spare time coaching classmates and underclassmen who needed assistance. Though qualified academically for any branch of service, he chose, on graduation, to try for Air Corps training. While still at the Academy, he met Priscilla Moody, a petite charmer from Long Island, and they became engaged.</p>
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After completing flying training at Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, Alabama, Chuck and Priscilla were married in Panama on 21 June 1941. After serving on submarine patrol and moving up to squadron commander of the 74th Bombardment Squadron, Chuck was sent to Europe and flew B-17 bombers in the European Theater. After returning and attending the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, the Bagstads were scheduled for service in Germany. While awaiting transportation overseas and while still in the New York area, Priscilla was killed in an accident, leaving Chuck with three children, Faith, Charles Jr., and Stephen ‘70.</p>
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Chuck was pulled off the Germany assignment and sent to Washington, where he served for a time, first as commander of the Flight Service and later as deputy of the Airways and Air Communications Service at Andrews Air Force Base. In 1956 he became commander of the 1805th AACS Wing at Pepperell Air Force Base, Newfoundland. Upon his return stateside he became deputy chief, Communications Division, Headquarters Strategic Air Command. In March 1959 Chuck married Ruth M. Luna at Tinker Air Force Base and adopted her daughter Janet. In July 1960 he became a father for the fifth time when daughter Cynthia was born at Offutt Air Force Base.</p>
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In September 1960, at the tender age of 43, Chuck attended B-47 school at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas and, on graduation, was assigned as director of operations of the 47th Air Division at McConnell. Less than two years later he became the commander of the training wing in which he had formerly been a student.</p>
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Back in Washington again in 1963, Chuck became a member of the Systems Design Team, Systems Research and Development Service. He served there until 1966, when he was sent to Turkey as deputy chief of the Air Force Section of the Joint USMAAG to Turkey at Ankara. On his return, he served at Carswell Air Force Base until his retirement at the end of October 1968. He and Ruth chose Fort Worth as their retirement home.</p>
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His honors over the years included the Legion of Merit, Air Medals, Commendation Medals and Croix de Guerre with Silver Star.</p>
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Chuck’s life after retirement certainly showed his love of teaching. After receiving his master’s degree in management science from Texas Christian University, he served as instructor and center director for the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; management instructor for Texas Christian University for two years; and from 1973-77 he was senior management instructor for Bell Helicopter and Bell Operations Division.</p>
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In 1978, he started teaching for the University of Southern California in their off-campus program at different military installations. Assignments over the next ten years included Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Virginia, Okinawa, and the Philippines. He particularly enjoyed this portion of his teaching life as well as the traveling involved. It gave him time at home as well as time on the road.</p>
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In 1987 Chuck retired “for real” and devoted his time to taking care of the yard, pool and just puttering about the place, plus doing some volunteer work for the Lone Star Retired Officers Club at Carswell. Limited traveling included attending a granddaughter’s wedding and his 50th Class Reunion at West Point.</p>
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Chuck left us while on a visit to the Continent. He had always wanted to visit Dresden, Germany, which he had bombed during World War II. Besides, daughter Cindy and family were in the area. As they approached Dresden, they stopped to procure a city map. On returning to the car Chuck felt tired and, with his head on Ruth’s shoulder, closed his eyes and peacefully passed away.</p>
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Charles Webster Bagstad was a gentleman in the true sense of the word, with a keen mind and a love of family and country. He did an outstanding job in every task he was asked to perform and was a great airman, husband, and human being who dearly loved America with all his heart.</p>