Charles A. Kinzie II's Obituary
Charles A Kinzie, II, 91, a longtime airline executive, died at his home in Croton, MD October 28, 2016.
Mr. Kinzie enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program in June 1943 at the age of 18. He trained at Scott Field, IL and later at Gunnery School in Yuma, AZ. He then joined the 34th Bomb Group in Lincoln, NE.
The unit was sent to England and stationed at the Royal Air Force base in Mendlesham, Suffolk. He was a waist gunner on a B-17 named “Playboy,” which flew 28 missions, taking its share of hits from both flak and fighter aircraft over Normandy, the Ardennes, the Rhineland and oil refineries in Central Europe.
Like so many of his generation, he spoke very little about his experiences. But he did tell his family that his standard pre-mission ritual was to attend the dawn Catholic Mass, snack on a Clark bar and then get aboard to his gunner’s position.
After World War II, Mr. Kinzie continued his career in aviation, spending 38 years with United Airlines, mainly as an executive in airport management, reservation systems and as special assistant to the Vice President of UAL Inc. After retiring from United, Mr. Kinzie began a new career in real estate in Annapolis, MD.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Eleanor; a daughter, Anne Kinzie Culhane of Larchmont, NY, son-in-law, David; a son Charles, III of Western Springs, IL, a daughter-in-law Carlene Sprague Kinzie and three grandsons: Griffin , Trevor and Spencer.
Services and interment are planned for a later date at Fort Myer Chapel and Arlington National Cemetery, VA. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be sent online or by mail to one of Mr. Kinzie’s favorite charities, which helps military families in need: the Charles A. Kinzie Memorial Fund at Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Ste 420, Rockville, MD 20850. www.fisherhouse.org.
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