Charles Grohoski peacefully passed away on December 6, 2004. A true Southern gentleman, he was soft-spoken but quick with a warm smile. Charles was devoted to his family, enjoyed the outdoors, and had a life-long love for the game of baseball. Always generous with his time, knowledge and interests, he inspired those who knew him to share those loves. The youngest of seven, Charles was born in Junction City, WI, to Anna (nee Sollberger) and Alexander Grohoski. A few years later the family moved to Jackson, Mississippi. Charles' love of the outdoors was fostered by trailing his brothers' adventurous hikes through the backwoods and canoe trips down the muddy waters of the Pearl River. Despite the Depression, he was able to enroll at Mississippi State University. With little money, he lived on beans and crackers. Tired of this sparse diet, he earned a pitching spot on the varsity team, and a seat at the athletes' training table, loaded with food and pitchers of milk. After graduating from college, and a short stint as a surveyor, he was hired by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio, as an aeronautical engineer. As a Lt. Colonel, he was actively involved with the Air Force Reserves for over twenty years. He worked on many projects, but the most memorable was as a structural engineer on the original design and testing of the revolutionary F-15 Eagle fighter jet. The F-15 was an innovative design because it combined unparalleled maneuverability, with state-of-the-art avionics and weaponry. This plane and other variants are still actively used today. Charles met and married the love of his life, Margaret (nee Mayer) in 1944. Married for over forty-seven years, they shared many interests. They both loved an active lifestyle and spend time traveling, hiking, canoeing and playing tennis. Charles and Margaret had two daughters, Barbara Grohoski and Carolyn (Grohoski) Beck and three grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, and Jennifer Beck. Enjoying an active life until the end, Charles was climbing trees and playing ball into his mid-eighties. He was preceded in death by his brothers Joe, John, Frank, and Ed Grohoski, and sisters Verna Cambre and Helen Grohoski. A kind and wonderful father and grandfather, Charles will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, which provides at-risk, inner-city children an opportunity to play baseball in a safe and fun environment. Attn: Executive Director, 10