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Date Posted: 14:58:20 06/29/09 Mon
Author: B Allen (son-in-law)
Subject: Obituary, Charles J. Bank, ATHS Class of 1932

Charles Joseph Bank, died at 94 1/2 years on March 14, 2009. He was born in Thorntown, Indiana on Sept. 14, 1914 to Gertrude and Joseph Bank. Charles' family moved to Plainfield at age 6, then to Indianapolis at age 13. Charles attended Arsenal Technical High School, delivering the opening address at his graduation. Working his way through college, he graduated in 1939 from Purdue University, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Army Air Corps Reserve. While working in Chicago for the Crane Co., Charles met the love of his life, Ruth Brendle. In July 1941, Charles was called to active duty in WWII. Chuck and Ruth married at Shepherd Field in Amarillo, TX in December 1941. Later promoted to Lt. Colonel, while serving in Xian China, Charles enjoyed flying over the "hump" from India. After the war Charles joined Cutler Laboratories, in Berkeley, CA as an engineer. Called in 1952 for the Korean Conflict, he served as base commander at Kisarazu Air Force Base, Japan. Upon returning to the states, Charles was distinguished with the Legion of Merit Award, which cited, "By devotion to duty, initiative, ingenuity, and organizational and technical ability, Col. Bank personally contributed directly to the overall effectiveness of the United Nations forces in Korea, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces and the United States Air Forces." Also respected by the people of the Chiba Prefecture, the Governor of the Prefecture wrote when learning that Col. Bank would be leaving Japan in the near future: "I wish such an officer, of rare nobility of character as you, could stay here longer for the prefectural people." Returning to civilian life, Charles was appointed Chief Engineer at Cutter Laboratories in Chattanooga, TN, while remaining active in the Air Force Reserves including serving as commander of a Strategic Air Command Squadron in Chattanooga. In 1964 Charles retired after 24 years of active duty in the USAF. In 1975, he moved to Clayton, NC as Staff Special Projects Engineer at Cutter, being in charge of building the Intralipid Plant and other improvements and expansions, retiring in 1979 from Cutter Laboratories after 33 years. Retiring to Franklin, TN, Charles remained active in his community. Charles and Ruth were married for 62 years until her death in 2003; his love and devotion to Ruth was extraordinary. In 2004 Charles moved to Atlanta, GA. Charles loved to travel and made many long road trips well into his 80's with his brother, Tom. Well respected and held in high esteem by many, Charles was a true gentleman who will be remembered for his honesty, ethics, kindness, thoughtfulness, and his devotion to his family. Charles is survived by his best friend and brother, Thomas Bank, his children: Nancy Allen, Judith Windsor, Charlene Keogh, and Roger Bank, sons-in-law, William Allen and Charles Yoder, and daughter-In-law, Vickie Bank. Surviving grandchildren are: Brent Allen, Laura Allen, Casey Sisson, Dustin Bank, and Brandon Bank and two great-grandchildren, Catie and Ben Allen. We are deeply grateful to his physician, F.W. Dowda, M.D., who offered guidance and extraordinarily kind and thoughtful care to our father. Visitation and funeral services were held at St. James United Methodist Church, 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA, on Wednesday, March 18th, at 10 A.M. and 11 A.M. A full military honor service and burial was held June 8 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. where Charles was buried with his beloved wife.

http://www.legacy.com/Atlanta/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=125198847

http://www.legacy.com/Atlanta/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStoryPrint&PersonID=125198847

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