Charles Milton Vairin

Born on September 12, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Charlie was the son of Justice Vairin and Mary Ellen Taylor. Charlie was a physicist who attended Loyola University New Orleans and devoted his professional life to the advancement of aerospace engineering. Over a distinguished career, he held positions with leading organizations, including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and others, and contributed substantively to all Apollo missions and Viking Mars lander, helping to usher in a new era of space exploration.

Charlie was widely regarded for intellectual rigor, measured judgment, and professionalism. He is equally remembered for a sense of humor and always had a joke to tell that made others chuckle, often delivered with a dry, understated wit. In his younger years, he took pleasure in the outdoors of Colorado enjoying backpacking, cycling, and cross country skiing. Later, after moving to the wide expanses of Colorado Springs, he embraced horseback riding in middle age and joined the Cavaliers Trail Riding Club with Joan, exploring open landscapes.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Marie Vairin; his children, Alison and Bryan; his sister, Denise; and his grandchildren, Alex Cote, Nicolas Cote, and Evan Vairin. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher. Charlie is deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

A celebration of life will be planned by the family.