Posted:
By: Jeff Kobinsky
On: 01/26/2002
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Charles J. Kobinsky 77 2021 Rice Court, Eau Claire WI, 54701
Husband, Father, Friend passed away on Saturday January 26,2002 at Severson Home, Eau Claire WI, 54701.
Charles "Charlie" was born on May 19, 1924 to John A and Cathren Kobinsky in Neenah WI.
Charlie graduated from Neenah High School in 1942 and went on to enlist in the United States Air Force.
Charlie was honored to have served with the 401st BG, 612th Squadron flying 35 missions over Europe in the B17 "HEAVY DATE" as a radio operator - gunner, helping to give us the freedom we enjoy today.
After his tour of duty, Charlie went on to attend the Marquette School of Budiness.
Charlie went on to work as a loan officer for the Neenah-Menasha Finance Company.
This company was later bought out by Thorp Finance Company and Charlie moved on to Thorp and worked as the Vice President of Insurance Operations for Lyndon Insurance, a part of Thorp Finance.
Along the way, Charlie married his sweetheart "Elaine" on May 19, 1955 and on July 14, 1961 they were blessed with the birth of their son Jeff.
The Thorp Finance operation was bought out by ITT and Charlie continued tp work for ITT, Moving to Minneapolis MN, in 1979 to complete his 38 years of service with the company.
Charlie and Elaine moved back to Eau Claire in 1990 to enjoy retirement and be close to their son.
Charlie enjoyed the Packer games, a good round of golf, and took a lot of pride in maintaining the home he and Elaine built in Eau Claire.
Charlie led a full life, and truly enjoyed each and every day, and his strong faith in God helped to guide him through life, and eventually his death.
Charlie isd survived by his wife Elaine, a faithfill and loving companion for 47 years, son Jeff (Patti) sister Dorothy (Nickasch) brother John (Ruth) Kobinsky and many nieces and nephews.
Charlie was preceed in death by his parents
We will sadly miss Charlie in death, but will always be blessed with the 77 years of his life that he shared with us, and will continue to celebrate his life forever.
A celebration of Charles life will be held on 01/30/02 at the Fuller-Speckien Funeral home in Eau Claire.
Memorials to Immaculate Conception Church in Eau Claire.
Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park in Appleton WI.
Side note.......
Charlie suffered a stroke about 3 years ago and it took away his short term memory.
The memories that he has of his days with the 401st are clear as can be and he talked about it every day with the greatest respect for those he served with, and we will cherish the memories he shared with us forever.
He had a lot of fun reading the posts to the group, and I hope to soon publish a book with his large collection of materials from the time that he served.
Thank to to everyone in the group for being such a big part of his life, he is forever flying high once again with the crew of Heavy Date.
He has a B17 model / clock that he bought from ad in the "poop from the group" and last night as he took his last breaths, the B17 started on it's own where it was sitting on the counter about 4' away from me and there was no button that would shut it off for at least 2 miniutes.
I think it was the last call to "start your engines"..
I'll continue to read the posts and share the memories as it means a lot to me to learn about his past - Son Jeff
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