Charles (Chuck) William Eslep III died in his Pittsburgh home surrounded by family, Saturday December 3, 2022, after a year’s long attempt to beat back pancreatic cancer. He was 66. Despite his illness, Chuck’s was a life well-lived.
Born to the late Charles and Barbara Eslep, Chuck graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1981 with a degree in photography and videography. He moved to Utah to work for the Morton Thiokol company, documenting the production of the solid rocket boosters for the space shuttle program. After the Challenger disaster, Chuck produced a short documentary detailing the investigation for NASA. His film was shown to President Reagan and he was rewarded for his work with a citation signed by NASA administrator James Fletcher.
Chuck moved back to the Pittsburgh area where he began the work of helping to stand up a small medical manufacturing firm. More importantly, this is where he met the love of his life, Bobbi Prutz, whom he dated, married and loved, raising her two boys, Justin and Joshua Puhl, as his own.
At age 44, Chuck reached an inflection point and decided to give up the business life to pursue his life-long ambition of becoming an airline pilot. He studied aviation at the Community College of Beaver County while completing flight training at Beaver Aviation at the Beaver County Airport. Chuck proudly served in the role of “cool dad” to the other flight students half his age. He became a flight instructor and mentored other aviation enthusiasts through their flight training.
In 2008, Chuck reached his goal of becoming an airline pilot when he was hired by Chautauqua Airlines where he was a First Officer on the Embraer E-145. When his airline consolidated under Republic Airways, Chuck flew as Captain of the Embraer E-170/175.
Chuck was passionate about aviation, the space program, photography, stamp and coin collecting, bird watching and camping. Chuck was highly involved in scouts, serving as a Cub Scout Master as well as holding various leadership roles in the Boy Scouts. Chuck completed the Order of the Arrow as well as earning the Philmont Arrowhead Patch for completing a 12-day trek in the backcountry at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Above all, Chuck was a devoted family man. He is survived by his brother Craig Eslep and husband William O’Donnell as well as his beloved wife Bobbi and his sons Justin and Joshua Puhl. Additionally, Chuck leaves behind his daughters-in-law Jennifer and Aston and his much-loved, and often-spoiled granddaughters Violet, Harlow and Samantha.
A celebration of Chuck’s life will take place on February 25, 2023, the date that would have been Chuck’s 67th birthday. The place and time will be communicated to friends and family as they are determined. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Chuck’s name to the Boy Scouts of America Camperships at:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/pB04dA?utm_medium=qr&utm_source=qr&vid=w4kxh
or
Flag Plaza
Laurel Plaza
Laurel Highlands Council, BSA
1275 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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