Charles Clement Stueve

Charles Clement Stueve, 91, died Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City following a brief illness. Charles was born on March 13, 1925 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Winfred Henry and Eleanor (Eberle) Stueve. He moved to Oklahoma City in 1930. He graduated from Old Classen High School in 1943. He was a Staff Sergeant in World War II, serving in the European Theater as a surveyor with the 529th Field Artillery Battalion. He started his working life as a "roughneck" in the oil fields of west Texas, subsequently working for Service Pipe Line Co. and Williams Brothers in Tulsa. He graduated from MIT in 1949 with a BSME and again from the University of Oklahoma in 1965 with an MEIE. His children remember him as a quiet inspiration for their education as can be evidenced by the 12 college degrees among them. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania as well as Oklahoma. He ended his full-time working career in 1985 when he retired from Tinker AFB after 27 years. At Tinker he was especially proud of his involvement with early-day computerized process control systems. He was the original Project Engineer in charge of the development of an automated jet-engine testing system at Tinker, for which he was awarded the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service by the Air Force. Subsequent to leaving Tinker, he spent over ten years as an adjunct assistant professor teaching mathematics at Rose State College. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at OU and a charter member of SAW'S woodworker's club. He was an excellent woodworker in which he used this talent to make a crib, tables, bed, lamps, small clocks, toys for underprivileged kids and a grandfather clock to name a few. He has held an Amateur Radio Operator's License (W5INS) since 1954 and was a member of ARRL. He was also an amateur playwright and had a play published: "Coon Hunters" and performed at then Rose State Junior College. He wrote another play called "The Safe". "What Did You Do In the War, Daddy?"(his memoir of WWII), and a plethora of stories: "The Old Man of the Park", "The Friendship," "The Office Boy," "Three Boys and a Man", "On Growing Up", "The Leather Skirt". He loved to play the piano when nobody was around to hear. He wasn't very good, but he had heart! He was an accomplished amateur historian with a special interest in World War II. Reading and studying the history of that war was probably his most important hobby. He spent many happy hours working as an enthusiastic volunteer at the 45th Infantry Division Museum. He loved the association and camaraderie of old soldiers. For many years he wrote an annual newsletter for his old artillery battalion. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife (Mary Lou Whitfield Stueve), second wife (Betty Baker), and his sister Anne Iverson. He is survived by his 7 children: Margaret Hendrick of Boston, Massachusetts, Barbee Stueve of Oklahoma City, Joni Claflin of Norman, Carolyn Beaumont of Tulsa, Tracy Senat of Edmond, Bill Stueve of Austin, Texas, and Rick Stueve of Oklahoma City, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and by many nieces, nephews, step-family and friends. He loved his last several years at Village on the Park retirement community (where the seniors rock and the fun never sets) and lastly, Mansions at Waterford Assisted Living Home. A special thank you from the family to the doctors, nurses, sitters and case manager on 8 West at Baptist Hospital, Integris Hospice House and Valir Hospice. Your kindness is beyond compare!