Chuck was born on January 11, 1929, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Roman Claudius ‘Buck’ Fargo and Helen Margaret Flanagan Fargo. The Fargo family moved to Montana in 1931. Chuck graduated from Glasgow High School, then entered the U. S. Marine Corps in 1946. He was stationed in California during his two years of service, and was honorably discharged in 1948, having provided service “honest and faithful.”
Upon his return to Montana, Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth ‘Bettye’ Bruce. They were married in Glasgow, Montana on June 23, 1948. They moved to Bozeman, Montana, where he attended Montana State University. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering, graduating with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. He received a teaching fellowship to Cornell University, where he pursued his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Chuck graduated in 1954 and was recognized for character and academic scholarship. He was admitted into both Tau Beta Pi, the premier Engineering Honors Society, and Phi Kappa Phi, the most selective national honors society.
In 1954 after graduation from Cornell University, Chuck accepted a position with North American Aviation’s newly formed “Rocketdyne” division in southern California. Rocketdyne would become the premier American producer of liquid-fueled rockets. Chuck held many positions at Rocketdyne, including the Director of Engine and Mechanical Research for the space shuttle project, and he eventually led engineering at Rocketdyne as the Vice President of Engineering and Test. After 30 years of service to the space program, Chuck retired from Rocketdyne. He then continued his career at Northrop Grumman, working in the design and development of laser systems, and in unmanned aircraft. He retired from Northrop Grumman in 1994. Chuck received many awards and honors, including the prestigious Engineers Council’s “Engineer of the Year” award in 1983.
During his career, he considered himself privileged to work with the most renowned rocket scientists and engineers across the U.S. Together they reached for the stars, landed on the moon, developed the Space Shuttle, launched the Hubble Space Telescope, and helped build the International Space Station.
Charles G. ‘Chuck’ Fargo, dad / grandpa, was gifted at developing powerful engines on much more than just rockets...his children and grandchildren learned from him that their objective was to reach for the moon and the stars. We will miss you, Dad - Grandpa!
Chuck had many hobbies, including; hiking, camping, fishing, golf, gardening, playing bridge, reading, traveling, woodworking; and most of all he loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren. Chuck was active in the community. He coached youth athletics, and served both St. Bernadine and St. Maximilian Kolbe parishes in numerous capacities.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years; three sons and a daughter; a brother and sister in Billings, Montana; and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Fargo, his father, Roman ‘Buck’ Fargo, brothers John and Jim, and his beloved daughter, Theresa Fargo Scott. We are certain that Chuck is now in their warm and welcoming embrace.
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