Charles Buettner, Sr.

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Charles Buettner Sr. who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Charles was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Charles knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

His parents were Ferdinand Frank Buettner and Elizabeth Ballweg Buettner. Even as a youngster, Charles learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Charles was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Charles was raised with 4 siblings. He had 2 older sisters, Betty and Daisy, a younger brother and sister, Joseph and Agnes. Charles had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Charles, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Charles's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Charles enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. In his spare time he liked stamp collecting.

In school, Charles was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Charles was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Charles’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time". He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was History and Math.

Charles was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Charles was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Charles came to expect his high standards of performance. Later in life, he became friends with Hank Ressler.

An objective and conscientious individual, Charles reveled in the security of his family. One of Charles’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Charles was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Charles would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Charles was blessed with 4 sons, Charles, Gerard, Raymond and Kenneth. They were also blessed with 2 grandchildren, Danielle and Christopher.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Charles was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Charles was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Charles upheld his standards. His primary occupation was Telecommunications. He was employed for 23 years with New York Telephone Company. Charles was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Charles was an Army Veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. The Army sent him to North Africa, Italy and Germany. Charles saw action for 3 years in WWII. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He received several awards recognizing his for his heroism, including a EAME Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; American Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal.

Charles approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were making furniture, tinkering and stamp collecting. Charles was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Being generous with his time and energy, Charles liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. Throughout his later years, Charles was an active member of the Boy Scouts.

Faith was important to Charles. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church for 19 years. During that time, he was an usher.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Charles used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Charles had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included anytime he could take the boys camping.

Charles was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Charles’s favorites dogs was Ginger, a Springer Spainel. They were best friends for 1 year.

When Charles’s retirement finally arrived in 1978, he was well prepared. He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. His new life involved relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina. In retirement, he found new pleasure in home building, furniture making and drafting. In many ways, Charles loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Charles passed away on August 18, 2010 at Hunter Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Charlotte, North Carolina. Charles fought a brave battle with COPD. He is survived by his four sons, Charles A. Buettner of Charlotte, Gerard R. Buettner of Bohemia, NY, Raymond J. Buettner of Charlotte, Kenneth P. Buettner of Charlotte; his two grandchildren, Danielle Ambrose and husband David of Collegeville, PA, Christopher John of East Setauket, NY; one sister, Agnes Rizkalla of Tampa, FL; his sister-in-law, Patricia Wojcieszak of Bellmore, NY and a special friend, Marie Knudsen of Saugerties, NY. Charles was laid to rest in Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury North Carolina.

All who knew him would agree that Charles was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Charles Buettner Sr. did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Derita Chapel, Charlotte, NC.