Charles Joseph Walch

Charles Joseph Walch
1947 – 2019

Charles Joseph Walch, 71, passed away October 30th in Fort Worth, Texas.  He was born in Boise, Idaho, but spent most of his years in Fort Worth.

In 1970, Charles joined the Army.  After successfully completing the rigors of basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he underwent primary flight training at Fort Wolters, Texas, completing pilot training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  From there he was shipped off to Vietnam to serve for a year, flying combat missions in the fight for freedom as a world-class helicopter pilot.

After completion of his active duty commitment he was honorably discharged from the US Army with a rank of Chief Warrant Officer - 2.  He went back to school to complete his education but remained in military service by joining the Army Reserves. He served with the 300th Aviation Company during most of the 1980s and with both the Colorado and Texas Army National Guard.

In 1991, his Army National Guard unit was called to active duty and was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait for "Desert Storm," serving for 6 months as a Chinook pilot.  Charles achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer – 3.  He was rated in Hueys, Cobras, and Chinooks and was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University with a major in accounting, he began his career in banking and financial services. He worked for, among others, Tandy Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas American Bank, Honolulu Federal Savings Bank, First Interstate Bank in Los Angeles and Comerica Bank in Detroit. He also worked for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) in Denver as a bank examiner during the banking crisis of the 1990s.

After his career in banking and the National Guard, Charles returned to Fort Worth to work at amassing and managing a portfolio of real estate properties. In his remaining years he achieved great success and financial independence.

Charles owned two airplanes and enjoyed flying the American skies.  As an avid reader he was knowledgeable about many subjects.  Charles was a kind, thoughtful and intelligent individual.  He had a big personality, a big heart and a great sense of humor.  He will be missed by family, comrades and friends.

Charles is survived by a sister, Gayla (David) Scoll and a brother, David Lowell Walch.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Harvey Walch, his mother, Jewell Elizabeth Richardson, and a sister, Arlene (Dick) Burbidge.

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