Harry Junior Charlesen

He was the oldest child of the late Harry N. and Mary Ann Charlesen. He grew up in Jefferson County, PA going to grade school and working on the Pennsylvania Railroad as a steam engine assistant until he was drafted into the U.S. Army when he turned 18.

He was married to his beloved wife Catherine Elizabeth Lenze Charlesen on Jan. 18, 1944. She preceded him in death in 2017 after 73 years of marriage.

Harry fought in the Philippines during WWII rising from private to Staff Sergeant while leading a squad of infantrymen. He participated in the occupation of Japan and later served during the Korean War, was an atomic veteran attending bomb tests in Nevada, and was assigned to various duties during his 24 years on active duty. He was stationed at the University of Alaska in the ROTC detachment, at the Courier Service, worked at the Casualty Branch and received his commission as a Captain when he became the Adjutant of the Defense Language Institute.While assigned to the University of Alaska he finished up his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting.

While serving in the military he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals; the Joint Services Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Good Conduct Medal with 5 knots. There were numerous other medals but his most prized was his Combat Infantryman badge.

After retiring from the Army he became an Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University-Dubois campus. He implemented the Associate Degree program and was instrumental in the growth of the program at Dubois and other branch campuses. He retired from Penn State in 1990 having attained the rank of Associate Professor after 22 years. He was cited with a number of awards from his students praising his dedication to teaching over the years. He often said that teaching was his greatest love—he enjoyed working with the students and enabling them to succeed in reaching their educational goals.

Throughout his life he found ways to serve his community. He helped the various churches he attended teaching in Sunday School, serving as an auditor, and as President on the Board of Trustees at Brockway Presbyterian Church. He was also a Boy Scout Master in Alaska inducted into the Order of the Arrow and earning the Silver Beaver Award. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a long serving member of the Brockway Historical Society undertaking duties as President and chairman of the Finance Committee. In Brockway, PA he was a member of the Mengle Memorial Library where he organized and provided tax assistance to local residents. In his later years he volunteered at an elementary school to help children with reading and math difficulties, he was active in the Harmony retirement community as the President of the Resident Council and he taught himself to crochet and made over 100 cuddly octopuses for the preemies at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Harry is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann Paszkiewicz of Fredericksburg, VA; his son, Harry E. (Deborah) Charlesen of Reinholds, PA.; one brother, Robert E. (Cheryl) Charlesen of Strasburg, PA and one sister, Nancy Hooten of Brockway, PA. In addition, he is survived by seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters—Christine Thomas, Lovey Tuberson and Becky Anderson and brothers--Bernard Charlesen and John Charleson and his son-in-law, Robert G. Paszkiewicz.

Harry was a wonderful family man as well as a brave soldier, committed teacher and patriot-most of all he was kind and caring.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be sent to:

Taylor Memorial Museum (Brockway Historical Society)

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Homes For Our Troops

Reading is Fundamental