Charles D. Bathman, Major, USAF (Retired)
August 21, 1935 – March 07, 2023

Watauga, Texas – Charles D. Bathman, Major USAF Retired, “Charlie” born August 21, 1935, passed away at the age of 87 on March 7, 2023, in Ft. Worth, Texas. Charlie is survived by his son, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In his early years he grew up in Bergan and Belmar, New Jersey with his family – he was an only child of Irene and Charles Bathman. He attended St. Peter’s College High School and graduated at the age of 17 years old. After High School he worked in NYC as a photographer for various publications including Time Life Magazine – his photo portfolio will be cherished by the family forever.

Charlie enlisted in the USAF in 1955 and served for 20 years as a helicopter pilot and instructor – retiring as a Major in May of 1975. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he was awarded a Bronze Star for an airlift of a seaman from a destroyer 50 miles at sea during a Typhoon and earned 3 Sikorsky Winged S awards for performing lifesaving rescue missions in Okinawa. During his tour in Southeast, Asia he also was assigned with a UN Peacekeeping Team flying H-19B’s.

Charlie was a craftsman and builder at heart – this love started as a young man building a soap box derby car, a hand craft boat and later in life he built 2 homes in Wichita Falls and Watauga, Texas. After retiring from the USAF, he started a construction business in Wichita Falls, Texas and re-enrolled at Midwestern State University where he earned two degrees. In 1981 his passion for flying helicopters and teaching directed him to take a position with Flight Safety International at the Bell Helicopter facility in Hurst, Texas where he would develop training programs for the Bell 412,212 and 430 helicopters – retiring after 28 years in 2009. In his later years he enjoyed time building train models and creating his own railroad company. He loved spending time in Port Aransas on the boat or just hanging with his lovely wife “Pat” and family. He was a member of the local Numismatic Association and enjoyed playing poker, Tuesday night game, with his buddies – up and until a month before his passing.

He will be greatly missed and loved by his family and friends! In lieu of flowers please provide donations to Community Healthcare of Texas – CHOT.ORG and Mission 22.com.

He will be provided Military Honors at the National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas on April 3, 2023, at 3:30 pm by the USAF Honor Guard.