Charles E. Schuster

Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. (Chuck) Schuster U.S. Air Force Retired, age 88 of Valparaiso, Florida passed away on November 8, 2019 after complication from a stroke. Mr. Schuster was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1931 to Anna and Peter Schuster and had been a resident of Fort Walton Beach and Valparaiso, Florida since 1976. He had over 34 years of service to his country in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean conflict during which he participated in 116 special operations missions behind enemy lines as an airborne radio operator. He also served overseas in Japan, England and Iran. While in England he met and married his wife, the former Jean M. Dyer in 1959 in St. Patrick’s Church Soho, London. They returned to St. Patrick’s in 2009 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

 During his military career, Mr. Schuster received the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with five oak leave clusters, the Korean Service Medal with four battle stars, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster, the Korean War Medal And numerous other service medals and awards.

 After his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Schuster worked for over 21 years as a support contractor at Eglin AFB as a senior electronic warfare engineer and a senior acquisition project specialist retiring in July 2005. Following his retirement as a support contractor Mr. Schuster was a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for the First Judicial Distract in Okaloosa County until his passing. Mr. Schuster was an avid tennis player.

Mr. Schuster was a graduate of Oklahoma University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree (with distinction) in Electrical Engineering in 1964 and a Master of Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965.

Mr. Schuster was preceded in Death by his parents and his older brother Max J. Schuster and older sister Johanna A. McCloud (Schuster).

Mr. Schuster is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean M. Schuster, of Valparaiso, FL, son Karl R. Schuster, granddaughter Katherine A. Fleshman (Schuster), grandson Kyle E. Schuster {all three in MD), son Mark E. Schuster of Pensacola, FL, sister Ann Taylor of Duncanville, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Schuster was a long- time member of the St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Community Parish, Eglin AFB. A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd. Niceville, FL  32578, on Thursday, January 9, 2019, beginning at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Guardian ad Litem Program, 1250 N. Eglin Paky., E-111, Shalimar, Florida 32579.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles E. Schuster, please visit our floral store.