Some Sad News for the Forum .. Charles Cheeseman has passed away.

[Njaco]

It is with a very heavy heart that I'm announcing that one of our Moderators, CCheeseman, has passed away. I don't know the circumstances and he was having some health issues this week. He was in his 80s and lived in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a very very kind soul, former career Navy flier and an all around good guy. I met him a few times and although our political views didn't always mesh, I had great respect for him. He was an avid gardener, loved his Mazda truck and most important of all, his wife Edna Mae. He was a long-time member here, with numerous contributions and one of the last balsa wood model builders. I'm so saddened by this, I don't even know what I'm typing.

The pics are one of his favorites: A portrait while he worked at the local Mazda dealer and one from 2008 when he, myself and Toughhombre went to WWII Weekend in Reading, PA.

I'm really gonna miss him.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Dammit!

Blue skies my friend, RIP

 

[pbehn]

Very sad news. RIP dear chap.

 

[Torch]

That stinks,my condolences to his family...............

 

[Wurger]

That's a very sad news for all of us. .My thoughts are with the family during this difficult time The deepest condolences.I miss him very much.

RIP Dear Friend .....

 

[Zipper730]

I'm so sorry about that...

RIP

 

[Micdrow]

Wow this was a shock RIP, my friend.

 

[Jeff Hunt]

Always enjoyed his posts and comments.

Jeff

 

[Mungo60]

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends, and as an old soldier i wish him God speed !

 

[Shortround6]

We are diminished.

 

[soulezoo]

Rest in peace.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Damn...

Gonna miss you Charles!

 

[fubar57]

Thoughts and prayers go out to Charles' family and friends. You will be missed here Charles

 

[Airframes]

So, so sorry to hear this sad news. I'm still in the process of slowly building a model Charles sent me some time ago, when he asked me to build a 'Pete' float-plane for him. This will now need to be done in his honour.
My condolences to Edna Mae and all the family and friends - you will be missed Charles.

 

[buffnut453]

Fair winds and following seas, Charles. You were a true gentleman and will be greatly missed.

 

[Crimea_River]

Charles' contributions to the forum were always made in a kind and gentle way and I miss him for that. Condolences to his loved ones.

 

[Thorlifter]

We are all going to miss his contributions to this site. Yeah, he and I didn't see eye to eye on politics, even had to block many of his posts on Facebook, but I had respect for the man. Rest comfortably Charles. You will be missed!

 

[tomo pauk]

Rest in peace. Condolences to the family.

 

[rochie]

Very sad news

RIP Charles

 

[Marcel]

My god. This comes as a shock.

I considered Charles a very good friend, although thousands of miles away and many years difference in age. We started here at the forum around the same time (2006/2007) and quickly started a remote friendship.
He was of Dutch decent, his father's name was Kaasman who grew up in Rotterdam, around 20km from my house. This was a connection and from there we build our friendship. He had a deep interest in people and was a kind guy. Some 8 years ago he suffered from cancer. An illness that he beat fair and square, although it didn't leave him unmarked. He knew he lived on borrowed time as every year he emailed me with the words (X years cancer free!!).

In 2016 I was lucky enough to visit him and his wife in VA Beach. Although he couldn't do much because of all his physical problems, we had a great day. I'm so glad I was able to see you my old friend. Rest in Peace, the world has turned a little colder today.

For you, Mon Ami:

La mer
qu'on voit danser le long des golfes clairs
a des reflets d'argent,
la mer,
des reflets changeants
sous la pluie.

La mer
au ciel d'été confond
ses blancs moutons
avec les anges si purs,
la mer bergère d'azur
infinie.

Voyez,
près des étangs,
ces grands roseaux mouillés.
Voyez,
ces oiseaux blancs
et ces maisons rouillées.

La mer
les a bercés
le long des golfes clairs
et d'une chanson d'amour,
la mer
a bercé mon cœur pour la vie.

Translation:

The sea,
We see dancing along the shores of clear bays,
Shimmers with silver
The sea
Changing shimmers
Under the rain

The sea
With the summer sky
Mix up her white horses
With the angels so pure
The infinite azure shepherdess
Sea

Sea
By the ponds
Those big wet reeds
See
Those white birds
And those rusty houses

The sea
Has cradled them
Along the shores of clear bays
And with a love song
The sea
Has rocked my heart for life