Charles John Kauffman, 1924-1997

Charles John Kauffman
6 September 1924 – 9 October 1997

Tigard- Charles was born in Oakland, California to Charles Martin Kauffman and Winifred Hargest.

He married Doris Areodine Jacobson on 13 November 1949, in Tijuana, Mexico. They divorced in Hillsboro, Oregon, 1962. They had two children.

He married Jewel Chain; they divorced in 1982.

Charles enlisted in WWII, US Army in Alameda, California. He served with the 729th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bomb group; discharged 29 October 1945, Sioux Falls, South Dakota as a pilot. Charles spent his life in love with flight. You could find him in an airplane or near Twin Oaks Airpark most every weekend. You can read more about the division he was attached to here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/452d_Operations_Group
Scroll down to “World War II.”

After he and his first wife divorced Charles moved to Reno, Nevada and lived there for a number of years. His mother, sister, and brother were there at one time or another.

Charles was the oldest of three children born to his parents, Charles Martin Kauffman (1894-1958) and Winifred Hargest Kauffman (1904-1965).  His younger brother Douglas James Kauffman predeceased him in 1987 as did his sister Barbara Jean Kauffman Pennington in 1990.

Charles had heart problems for many years, eventually causing his death.

Charles did love his grandchildren. When Aubrey was little, he called her Barney. She hated it and told him so! He loved it and called her Barney every time he saw her. Josh and Jenn both loved Grandpa’s house. They could play hide and seek on 3 floors. See Jenn’s memories below.

At the time of his death he was cremated and there was no obituary printed for him. His ashes were scattered off the end of the runway at the Twin Oaks Airpark in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Survivors include his two children John C. Kauffman of The Dalles, OR and LeaAnn Kauffman; grandchildren Aubrey Burrows, Jennifer Kauffman of Aloha, OR, Josh Kauffman of Aloha, OR, Jason Kauffman of Sioux Falls, SD.

We savor the memories this man gave us
Jenn’s memories:
Things that make me smile about Grandpa Chuck are his love of his Thunderbird car and living with him in that big old house.  I loved that house and I know that if I went there today I would have even more memories.  I remember in Grandpa's bedroom he always had a naked lady calendar and that made me laugh.  I remember you would get mad at him for not taking care of himself because you would find him eating bacon or Snickers (I don't know if those are really what he ate, but that's what I remember in my head).  I remember my brother and I playing hide and go seek in that big house, and I think one of us thought we could hide in a drawer of your dresser, and we took the whole thing down.  I also remember our bedroom with the bed in a drawer, and the pink curtains.  I remember Josh busting his face open on the bouncy horse outside.  I remember picking rhubarb, raspberries, and plums at his house.  The smell of a plum still reminds me of Grandpa.  As well as the smell of those weird flowers that were out along the street in big bushes, with white flowers I think (The flowers are St. John's wort: http://healing.about.com/od/floweressences/ig/Flower-Essence-Gallery/Saint-Johns-Wort.htm).  I couldn't tell you the name, but whenever I smell that, it takes me right back to that house.  I also remember the big weaving loom.  I was very intrigued by that thing.  And the couches in the living room were all flowery.  I also remember [the neighbors] Alma who lived across the street, and Jimmy and Ethel.  Jimmy and Ethel were always so sweet to us, and they ALWAYS had candy to hand out, usually some orange smiles.

I guess I have strayed away from Grandpa.  I remember his smile and his love of airplanes.  It was very hard to see him in later years in the nursing home, so weak.  But I still loved visiting him and I wish I would have seen him more as I grew up.  I always felt like Grandpa loved me very much.  I don't remember how long we lived there, but I remember being generally happy.  I don't remember moving in or moving out, just being there.  I have a clear memory of sitting on the couch with Grandpa; he was smiling a huge smile.  That's how I like to remember him.

Josh’s memories
Well said Jenn! I forgot about a lot of those things...every time I see the bouncy horses I think of that. I also remember the smell of that plant, but don't know what it is...I smell it sometimes and always think of his house. I remember the bed and calendars too. So great :) thanks for sharing! Jimmy and Ethel were great and I remember the candy and the accordions [Jimmy played and taught accordion]. I also remember the collections of airplanes...maybe on mirrored shelves or glass by a mini bar. Some maybe made out of cans? Also a mobile or one that balanced and floated.

How long did we stay there?
Mom’s response: We lived there not quite a year. Then we moved over to the house on 111th to take care of your grandmother [Doris Aerodine Jacobson Kauffman, 1914-1990].

Grandpa had all kinds of airplanes. There was a mobile that hung in the family room made out of beer cans.

Jenn: I vaguely remember the beer can airplane too!  I can't believe we only lived there a year.  In my little kid memories, it seems much longer.  Maybe because there are so many memories.

How old were we when we lived there?  I think I remember being in kindergarten there.  And you made me some dresses...one that was pink with little rosebuds and a yellow one with a pinafore. 

How long did we live at 111th?

Mom: We moved from Reno to Grandpa's in July 1984, the week before Jenn's 5th birthday (that's how I remember it. The years fly by so fast!). So, Josh was 3 and Jenn was 5. We lived at Grandpa's till the end of that school year, and then we had to move over to the house on 111th. We were there 4 years I think... 4 1/2?

But you guys went over to Grandpa's frequently, so it's no wonder you have so many memories of his house!

And for the record Josh, you busted your nose when riding Rocky horse because you were riding for the hills when he threw you!

Josh: I don't remember much about that time...being young I suppose.  For the record, I blame the horse...a spring broke!


Memorial Obituary written September 2012 as though it was October 1997.