Charles Eugene Klingenberg

Charles Eugene Klingenberg, 95, of Derby, Kansas passed away peacefully at his home on November 21, 2023. Born October 19, 1928 in Enid, Oklahoma, he was the 8th of 13 children to the late Martin & Freda (Jones) Klingenberg. Married to Alice Ruth Wagner for 50 years until her passing November 1, 2008. His youngest sister, Patsy Claypool of Texas is the last living sibling of the 13.

Surviving family members are his daughter Soldanella (John) Wilson and son Tim (Melody) Klingenberg; grandchildren Robert (Tracey) Klingenberg, Brandan (Branka) Wilson, Brenda Huges, Christopher (Angie) Klingenberg, Tyler (Carla) Hann, Chelsey (James) Nixon, Chassey (Brandon) MacArthur; great-grandchildren Alexander, Ayden, Charlie, Blake, Finn, Theodore, Thyra, and Fletcher.

Charles grew up working on farms in Enid, OK and later Galesburg, KS where he graduated from high school. He was drafted into the Army around the Korean War and served time in Europe where he met his wife, Alice. After military service and a few jobs later, he joined Boeing’s Wichita Division where he worked for 40 years, until his retirement in 1994 as a tool builder.

Charles enjoyed several things in life – traveling, taking his kids and friends to the lake, camping, boating, and about anything associated with airplanes. His best friend Charlie Miller, the barn stormer, probably had a lot of influence on his aircraft career spanning from jet liners to small aircraft where he worked on B-29’s, B-47’s, B-52’s, KC-135’s, CH-47’s, Saturn V Boosters, Lunar Rovers, and every aluminum commercial Boeing jet liner to date, plus all the small planes. In between all his hours working he still found time to be a Boy Scout leader for many, many years and being a tool builder, he like to build about anything.

Visitation will begin 10am Monday, November 27, followed by funeral services at 11am, both at Smith Mortuary in Derby. Military honors will follow at the El Paso Cemetery in Derby.

Charles will be missed, Rest in Peace.