Chuck was born in Duluth Minnesota on April 30, 1933 to Charles and Hally Helsten. He attended Hermantown High School and lettered in football, basketball and played hockey. He attended the University of Minnesota at Duluth and then the Korean War called.
He joined the Air Force and entered the Aviation Cadet program. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and received his wings as a Flight Engineer in April 1954. His first assignment was as a Flight Engineer on the B-36 aircraft which was the largest airplane in the world at that time.
He was stationed at Biggs AFB El Paso, Texas. It was there that he met his first wife Marlene (Joanne) Salome. He met her on her 21st birthday and were married seven months later. Joanne passed away in 1994. He continued his Air Force career as a navigator on the B-47, B-52, RF4 and FB-111 aircraft. He had a combat tour in Vietnam and flew 120 combat missions, 100 of them which were over North Vietnam. During that time, he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal with Ten Oak Leaf Clusters. He continued his education while in the Air Force and received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University in 1975. He retired from the Air Force in 1976.
Chuck supported the troops and the disabled American veterans organization throughout his retirement.
His retirement brought him back to El Paso which was Joanne’s hometown. He started a second career in real estate with Jimmy and Norman Salome at Fortune Real Estate and he specifically liked buying second notes. He joined Santa Teresa country club in 1976 and was a member for 36 years, he had a passion for playing golf and developed many great friendships. He was a member of the YMCA where in the earlier years played handball and worked out. Chuck had a passion for gardening and spent many hours in the back yard growing his tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapenos, pecan trees and several fruit trees. He was a wonderful cook and he and Sue loved making Lebanese food for all the family. He was especially noted for his famous Tabooley.
He was remarried in 1998 to Ruby S. (Sue) McMillen Helsten. He and Sue have had a beautiful second marriage. They traveled much of the world with their dearest friends Paul and Myra Johnson of Abilene and Jon and Janice Crumley of El Paso. They have a great extended family of thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Sue, his sons Gary and Greg and daughters Debby Pippins (Jerry) and Cindy Schrom (Ken) and stepdaughters Lori Whittenton and Stacy Blaugrund and stepson Ricardo Santiesteban.
Graveside Service with military honors will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 11:00 am at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Disabled American Veterans DAV at https://secure.dav.org
Arrangements are under the direction of Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler; (915) 584-1234. www.martinfuneralhomewest.com
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Helsten family.
