Charles Richard Hoeft Jr.

Charles Richard Hoeft, Jr. (“Chuck”), of Bourne, MA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. He was ninety years old. Born in Neponset, MA, Chuck was the son of Charles Richard (Sr.) and Clara (Leeping) Hoeft. He was the oldest of five children.

Chuck held a passion for aviation which was rooted deep in his childhood, where he spent countless hours admiring the steady stream of aircraft that roared into powerful ascent from Boston’s Logan Airport. He always knew he would one day command such vessels and soar freely into the great blue expanse that called to him so fervently.

Upon graduating from the Mechanic Arts Technical High School in Boston, Chuck passed a college equivalency exam at age 18 that enabled his hastened entrance to the US Army Air Corps in May of 1943 – a time during WWII when there was a great shortage of pilots. There, he completed all the intensive primary, basic, and advanced flight testing at San Antonio, TX to prove his piloting skills and went on to earn his “Wings and Bars” to command the Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft (known as “The Widow Maker” due to some fatal design flaws). Learning to fly before he could drive a car, Chuck soon served the 344th squadron, supporting the enemy bombing effort in the European theater. He flew 25 bombing missions over Germany at just 19 years of age (based out of France & Belgium) and then served 2 years of Occupation duty.

Following his honorable discharge in 1947, Chuck experienced perhaps his greatest joy, meeting the love of his life, Barbara Burns (from Brookline) at a church social. Within a year he was hired by Eastern Air Lines in Boston as Captain – and in the same year, he and Barbara were married. They shared a wonderful life together as soul mates and raised four children – Cheryl, Glenn, Christopher, and Cynthia - in the Boston suburbs, celebrating 63 years of marriage in November 2011 – just before Barbara’s passing.

Completely “at home” in the skies, Chuck savored his long career with Eastern during the heyday of air travel and captained a wide range of aircraft including the Lockheed “Constellation”, Douglas DC3, Martin 404, Lockheed “Electra”, the DC-7 and DC-9. The highlight of his aviation career doubtless was the last jet in his charge, the Lockheed L10-11 TriStar “Whisperliner”.

Upon his retirement from EAL after 35 years, Chuck enjoyed dancing and travel activities with Barbara, and socializing at their retirement destination of Cape Cod with friends and family. He also led multiple organizations around the Cape including the Air Force Association (at Otis), the Tide Club, Bourne Historical Society, Bourne Republican Committee, Seniors Association, and German-American Club of Cape Cod. Chuck also served on the Otis Civilian Advisory Council, chaired Barnstable County TRIAD, and facilitated "Remember WWII" events at the Bourne Senior Center.

Chuck was a creative self-taught artist, photographer, and avid life-long learner with a zest for the latest natural alternative health regimens. He strived to always improve himself, keep sharp, and stay current with the latest high technology and trends. With his fabulous sense of humor and a huge array of jokes, stories, and quotes for all occasions put to memory, Chuck delighted in the hearty laughter that his quick wit easily summoned from unsuspecting audiences. He reminded us that when all else fails, keep laughter in your heart.

Chuck was predeceased by his second son, Christopher, and brother, Ronald. He is survived by three siblings, Anita, Audrey, and Edward; three children, Cheryl, Glenn, and Cynthia; seven grandchildren, Brittany, Taylor, Craig, Julianne, Curtiss, Candace, and Danielle; as well as two step-granddaughters Elesa and Katrina; and two great grandchildren, Boston and Eva.

A memorial service will be held at 2 o'clock on Thursday, August 27 at the First Parish of Stow and Acton - Unitarian Universalist, 353 Great Road, Stow, MA. Relatives and friends respectfully invited.

Interment is private and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Chuck’s name may be made to the Broken Wing Project, a non-profit agency dedicated to teaching injured veterans how to fly specially-designed sport aircraft: http://www.brokenwingproject.com

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