Charles Michael Gerber (Chuck)

Seventy-two years ago the world was lucky to receive Charles (Chuck) Gerber. He was born in Long Beach, California to Frank and Nita Gerber on October 27, 1945. One of three boys, Frankie, Chuck, and Tom lived out their childhoods in California until Chuck was 15. In 1960 the family moved to Littleton, Colorado and Chuck forever claimed Colorado as where he was from. After studying at Oklahoma University, he enlisted in the army with the condition he would attend flight school. After basic training and flight school he flew helicopters and honorably served his country in Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968. He continued his service as a helicopter pilot instructor teaching American and South Vietnamese pilots to fly the Huey. Upon his return to the states while looking handsome beside the pool in Fort Worth, Texas he met his forever partner Celeste Cusenbary. The couple married August 9, 1969. After leaving active duty Chuck returned to his education and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Denver Metropolitan University. His love of flying called Chuck back to the military where he joined the National Guard. In 1972 Chuck and Celeste beamingly welcomed their first child, their son, Michael a month before Chuck turned 26 in Colorado. The little family welcomed the oldest girl, Stephanie three years after when they were living in Wichita Falls. Two more daughters completed the family with Amanda in 1978 and Sherami in 1982. The now big family made their home in Austin for a couple years where their lives were upturned when Stephanie unexpectedly passed at age 9. An opportunity to work for Bell Helicopter led Chuck to bring the family to Fort Worth where he diligently worked scheduling helicopter manufacturing until he retired after 22 years. Two projects he was especially proud to have worked on were the V22 Osprey and US101. He was grateful to the Guard for while flying on the weekends, he was not only lucky enough to get to do what he loved and get paid for it, he returned home to a family eager for his return and ready to be the best he could be for his family. His time with the Guard allowed him to fly his favorite bird, the Huey and he also learned to fly the Chinook. On July 27, 2018 Chuck passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He has now joined his daughter Stephanie, his granddaughter Presley, his parents Frank and Nita, and brother Frankie. He is survived by wife Celeste, son Michael, daughter Sherami, daughter Amanda and son-in-law Lance, grandchildren Caden and Brady, and brother Tom.
These are basic facts of his life, but do not capture the breadth of the man he was and what he meant to his family.
Flying was his first love. Celeste was his lifelong love. His family was his greatest act of love. Celeste and Chuck were married for nearly 49 years. He told his children how lucky he was to have her as a partner. They built a family based on the values of love and taking care of each other. He wasn’t a man who easily expressed his love in words, he proved his love every day with his steadfast commitment to provide and protect his family. Family was his greatest creation. He was proud of his children and grandchildren, and close to his brothers. He taught his children that you show up and take care of each other no matter what. Michael, Stephanie, Amanda and Sherami are proof of this legacy of love and devotion to family. He didn’t show fear of the hardships of life except for holding little babies and leaving his family. With broken hearts we each, in our own way, assured him that we would continue his legacy of love and take care of each other, just as he has always done for us.