Charles Wesley Van Koten
Charles Wesley Van Koten
Funeral Information
Home:
Sparks , NEVADA
Date of Death:
January 15, 2012
Place of Birth:
, OREGON
Birthdate:
October 24, 1918
Age:
93
Graveside Service:
Monday, January 30, 2012 10:30 AM Sac Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, CA
Interment:
Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, CA
loading...
Biography
CHARLES VAN KOTEN
1918-2012
Charles Van Koten, son of George and Annabelle Palmer Van Koten, Passed away Sunday, January 15, 2012.
Charles is survived by his wife, Claudia, sons, Victor (Vickie) Van Koten, Gary (Kathleen) Van Koten, daughters, Dr. Charla Van Koten (Dr. Stanley Nudelman) and Jackie Starkovich. Charles was grandfather to Carolyn Van Koten, Kevin Van Koten, Sean Van Koten, Brody Van Koten, Loren Nudelman and Kenzie Nudelman. He was great-grandfather to Mya Van Koten and Savannah Van Koten.
Chuck was a graduate of the University of Oregon with a BS in Education. After graduation, he worked as a school teacher and coach in Oregon. He obtained a private pilot certificate and worked part time as an instructor pilot.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, graduated and was commissioned as an officer in 1943. He served as a single-engine advanced and twin-engine instructor pilot for two years. He flew the China-India-Burma Theater in C-47 aircraft for Air Transport Command beginning in mid 1945 until the conclusion of World War II. He remained active in the Air Force Reserve for 20 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
At the conclusion of WWII, he went to UCLA to obtain a California Teaching Certificate and taught school in Palos Verdes.
In 1959 he purchased and operated a lumber mill in Grants Pass, Oregon, employing up to 75 people.
In 1964 he relocated to California and started up and operated a General Contracting firm specializing in production framing of single family, multi-family residential and commercial units in both Northern and Southern California, employing up to 250 . He served on the board of the firm which is now based in Livermore, servicing developers throughout Northern California.
In the early 1970's, he also started up and operated Skyway Aviation, Inc. in San Carlos, a full-service Fixed Base Operation, with 50+ employees, which included flight training, charter service, aircraft sales and maintenance. From the Skyway location, Airline Training Institute, Inc. (ATI) was established. ATI was an FAA fully accredited international jet training division with a staff of 15-20, which included the only privately owned B-707 simulator in the country. Student pilots were trained from ab initio up to 737 ratings.
In addition to his extensive involvement in commercial aviation ventures, Chuck owned and flew his personal aircraft several days a week between his home in Napa and his businesses based at the San Carlos Airport from the mid 1980's until his semi-retirment in 2008 at age 89.
He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as well as the Daedalians.
Chuck was a remarkable and accomplished man who will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Chuck will be given Military Honors at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Monday, January 30 at 10:30am. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00pm
in the Tulocay Reception Center. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.
1918-2012
Charles Van Koten, son of George and Annabelle Palmer Van Koten, Passed away Sunday, January 15, 2012.
Charles is survived by his wife, Claudia, sons, Victor (Vickie) Van Koten, Gary (Kathleen) Van Koten, daughters, Dr. Charla Van Koten (Dr. Stanley Nudelman) and Jackie Starkovich. Charles was grandfather to Carolyn Van Koten, Kevin Van Koten, Sean Van Koten, Brody Van Koten, Loren Nudelman and Kenzie Nudelman. He was great-grandfather to Mya Van Koten and Savannah Van Koten.
Chuck was a graduate of the University of Oregon with a BS in Education. After graduation, he worked as a school teacher and coach in Oregon. He obtained a private pilot certificate and worked part time as an instructor pilot.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, graduated and was commissioned as an officer in 1943. He served as a single-engine advanced and twin-engine instructor pilot for two years. He flew the China-India-Burma Theater in C-47 aircraft for Air Transport Command beginning in mid 1945 until the conclusion of World War II. He remained active in the Air Force Reserve for 20 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
At the conclusion of WWII, he went to UCLA to obtain a California Teaching Certificate and taught school in Palos Verdes.
In 1959 he purchased and operated a lumber mill in Grants Pass, Oregon, employing up to 75 people.
In 1964 he relocated to California and started up and operated a General Contracting firm specializing in production framing of single family, multi-family residential and commercial units in both Northern and Southern California, employing up to 250 . He served on the board of the firm which is now based in Livermore, servicing developers throughout Northern California.
In the early 1970's, he also started up and operated Skyway Aviation, Inc. in San Carlos, a full-service Fixed Base Operation, with 50+ employees, which included flight training, charter service, aircraft sales and maintenance. From the Skyway location, Airline Training Institute, Inc. (ATI) was established. ATI was an FAA fully accredited international jet training division with a staff of 15-20, which included the only privately owned B-707 simulator in the country. Student pilots were trained from ab initio up to 737 ratings.
In addition to his extensive involvement in commercial aviation ventures, Chuck owned and flew his personal aircraft several days a week between his home in Napa and his businesses based at the San Carlos Airport from the mid 1980's until his semi-retirment in 2008 at age 89.
He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as well as the Daedalians.
Chuck was a remarkable and accomplished man who will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Chuck will be given Military Honors at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Monday, January 30 at 10:30am. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00pm
in the Tulocay Reception Center. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.