Dr. Charles "Chuck" K. Arpke, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (Ret.), of Niceville, Fla., died surrounded by family on May 18, 2010.
He was born to Albert W. Arpke and Cuba Hazel Kyle in Beatrice, Neb., on Dec. 8, 1921. He attended the University of Nebraska attaining a bachelors, masters and Ph.D. in biochemistry.
Chuck joined the Air Force on June 15, 1942. He married Eileen Hepperly in February 1950. They had three sons, Thomas, Douglas and Richard. Chuck had numerous assignments. Most noteworthy included a five-year assignment to the Air Force Academy in the mid-60s as Chemistry and Physiology Department Head. He relished leading his team and instructing the cadets. He was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base into the Air Force Armament Laboratory, becoming a Chief of Directorate. After a 33-year career in the Air Force he joined the local staff of Oklahoma State University as an editor of Joint Munitions manuals, then Datatec as Office Chief.
His most satisfying activities (besides travel and golf, including a hole in one) were volunteering. He was the secretary and editor of The Defender of the Northwest Florida Military Officers Association for two decades and volunteered at the Eglin AFB Family Medicine Residency and main pharmacy. He was active in the First United Methodist Church of Niceville; he started the first early service choir and sang in the choirs for 35 years. He also served on the administrative board and building committee.
Chuck is survived by his wife and all three sons, Thomas (Beth) of Salina, Kan., Douglas of Lynnwood, Wash., and Richard (Denise) of Clarkston, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is survived by five of his six brothers and sisters, Hazel, Walter, Joseph (all residing in Nebraska), Shirley (Kansas) and Marcia (Oklahoma). His sister Betty preceded him.
He was born to Albert W. Arpke and Cuba Hazel Kyle in Beatrice, Neb., on Dec. 8, 1921. He attended the University of Nebraska attaining a bachelors, masters and Ph.D. in biochemistry.
Chuck joined the Air Force on June 15, 1942. He married Eileen Hepperly in February 1950. They had three sons, Thomas, Douglas and Richard. Chuck had numerous assignments. Most noteworthy included a five-year assignment to the Air Force Academy in the mid-60s as Chemistry and Physiology Department Head. He relished leading his team and instructing the cadets. He was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base into the Air Force Armament Laboratory, becoming a Chief of Directorate. After a 33-year career in the Air Force he joined the local staff of Oklahoma State University as an editor of Joint Munitions manuals, then Datatec as Office Chief.
His most satisfying activities (besides travel and golf, including a hole in one) were volunteering. He was the secretary and editor of The Defender of the Northwest Florida Military Officers Association for two decades and volunteered at the Eglin AFB Family Medicine Residency and main pharmacy. He was active in the First United Methodist Church of Niceville; he started the first early service choir and sang in the choirs for 35 years. He also served on the administrative board and building committee.
Chuck is survived by his wife and all three sons, Thomas (Beth) of Salina, Kan., Douglas of Lynnwood, Wash., and Richard (Denise) of Clarkston, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is survived by five of his six brothers and sisters, Hazel, Walter, Joseph (all residing in Nebraska), Shirley (Kansas) and Marcia (Oklahoma). His sister Betty preceded him.
Dr. Charles "Chuck" K. Arpke, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (Ret.), of Niceville, Fla., died surrounded by family on May 18, 2010.
He was born to Albert W. Arpke and Cuba Hazel Kyle in Beatrice, Neb., on Dec. 8, 1921. He attended the University of Nebraska attaining a bachelors, masters and Ph.D. in biochemistry.
Chuck joined the Air Force on June 15, 1942. He married Eileen Hepperly in February 1950. They had three sons, Thomas, Douglas and Richard. Chuck had numerous assignments. Most noteworthy included a five-year assignment to the Air Force Academy in the mid-60s as Chemistry and Physiology Department Head. He relished leading his team and instructing the cadets. He was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base into the Air Force Armament Laboratory, becoming a Chief of Directorate. After a 33-year career in the Air Force he joined the local staff of Oklahoma State University as an editor of Joint Munitions manuals, then Datatec as Office Chief.
His most satisfying activities (besides travel and golf, including a hole in one) were volunteering. He was the secretary and editor of The Defender of the Northwest Florida Military Officers Association for two decades and volunteered at the Eglin AFB Family Medicine Residency and main pharmacy. He was active in the First United Methodist Church of Niceville; he started the first early service choir and sang in the choirs for 35 years. He also served on the administrative board and building committee.
Chuck is survived by his wife and all three sons, Thomas (Beth) of Salina, Kan., Douglas of Lynnwood, Wash., and Richard (Denise) of Clarkston, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is survived by five of his six brothers and sisters, Hazel, Walter, Joseph (all residing in Nebraska), Shirley (Kansas) and Marcia (Oklahoma). His sister Betty preceded him.
He was born to Albert W. Arpke and Cuba Hazel Kyle in Beatrice, Neb., on Dec. 8, 1921. He attended the University of Nebraska attaining a bachelors, masters and Ph.D. in biochemistry.
Chuck joined the Air Force on June 15, 1942. He married Eileen Hepperly in February 1950. They had three sons, Thomas, Douglas and Richard. Chuck had numerous assignments. Most noteworthy included a five-year assignment to the Air Force Academy in the mid-60s as Chemistry and Physiology Department Head. He relished leading his team and instructing the cadets. He was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base into the Air Force Armament Laboratory, becoming a Chief of Directorate. After a 33-year career in the Air Force he joined the local staff of Oklahoma State University as an editor of Joint Munitions manuals, then Datatec as Office Chief.
His most satisfying activities (besides travel and golf, including a hole in one) were volunteering. He was the secretary and editor of The Defender of the Northwest Florida Military Officers Association for two decades and volunteered at the Eglin AFB Family Medicine Residency and main pharmacy. He was active in the First United Methodist Church of Niceville; he started the first early service choir and sang in the choirs for 35 years. He also served on the administrative board and building committee.
Chuck is survived by his wife and all three sons, Thomas (Beth) of Salina, Kan., Douglas of Lynnwood, Wash., and Richard (Denise) of Clarkston, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is survived by five of his six brothers and sisters, Hazel, Walter, Joseph (all residing in Nebraska), Shirley (Kansas) and Marcia (Oklahoma). His sister Betty preceded him.
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