Obituary for Charles R. Figard
Charles R. “Chuck” Figard, 94, formerly of Hamburg, PA passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 in Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg. He was the husband of the late Ruth K. (Kolp) Figard, who passed away January 2, 2014.
Born in St. Petersburg, PA he was the son of the late Charles E. and Irene M. (Pernell) Figard. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1944 and convinced his Mom to allow him to join the military. Believing it to be “safer” than the Marine Corps, she signed for him to enlist in the US Navy, only to have him assigned to the destroyer escort USS Halloran - which had been the target of kamikaze bombers! Following his time in the Navy, he enrolled at Penn State (Kutztown Extension) to study architecture, and it was during this time when he met Ruth, who would eventually become his wife for 64 years. Feeling the need to continue to serve his country, and no longer needing parental approval, he left Penn State and joined the Marine Corps. At the rank of Corporal, he was selected for Officer Candidate School and upon graduation was Commissioned a Second Lieutenant. During his service in the Marine Corps, he served two tours of duty in Korea, the second as a platoon leader, served as an advisor during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later served as the Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, during which he received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained at Con Thien during Operation Hickory. In total, he served 28 years in the military, retiring at the rank of Colonel and having received many awards and commendations. At the time of his passing, he was one of the few remaining “Mustang Marines”.
After his military service, Chuck completed his degree at Kutztown University and went on to teach fifth grade in the Schuylkill Valley School District, during which time he earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Temple University. He was a very engaged educator and was known to be fair but tough and disciplined. To this day, his former students will remember the word throughout the school, “Don’t mess around in Figard’s class”! He retired in 1997 after teaching for 22 years.
Chuck was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hamburg since 1972 where he served on Church Council for many years. He also served as a member of Hamburg Borough Council for many years and was previously the Vice-President. Chuck was an avid reader, primarily of history, and often read a book a week. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with Ruth and making pen and ink drawings, particularly of old railroad stations. He enjoyed home improvement and renovation projects, renovated nearly every room in his house, and helped build two additions for his sons. In 2002, he combined his architectural skills with Son Todd’s engineering skills and built a bridge to connect parts of Todd’s property that were inaccessible during heavy rains. The bridge remains in service to this day.
Chuck is survived by one daughter: Jacqueline R., wife of Mac Frazier, Granite Falls, North Carolina; and four sons: Richard Todd, husband of Kathy (Boyd) Figard, Wadsworth, OH; Michael D. Figard, Orefield, PA; Steven B. Figard, New Egypt, NJ; and Matthew W., husband of Linda (Blimline) Figard, Ocean Pines, MD. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 am from Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., 65 S. 4th Street, Hamburg, PA 19526 (Off Street Parking in Rear). Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Hamburg. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com
Born in St. Petersburg, PA he was the son of the late Charles E. and Irene M. (Pernell) Figard. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1944 and convinced his Mom to allow him to join the military. Believing it to be “safer” than the Marine Corps, she signed for him to enlist in the US Navy, only to have him assigned to the destroyer escort USS Halloran - which had been the target of kamikaze bombers! Following his time in the Navy, he enrolled at Penn State (Kutztown Extension) to study architecture, and it was during this time when he met Ruth, who would eventually become his wife for 64 years. Feeling the need to continue to serve his country, and no longer needing parental approval, he left Penn State and joined the Marine Corps. At the rank of Corporal, he was selected for Officer Candidate School and upon graduation was Commissioned a Second Lieutenant. During his service in the Marine Corps, he served two tours of duty in Korea, the second as a platoon leader, served as an advisor during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later served as the Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, during which he received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained at Con Thien during Operation Hickory. In total, he served 28 years in the military, retiring at the rank of Colonel and having received many awards and commendations. At the time of his passing, he was one of the few remaining “Mustang Marines”.
After his military service, Chuck completed his degree at Kutztown University and went on to teach fifth grade in the Schuylkill Valley School District, during which time he earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Temple University. He was a very engaged educator and was known to be fair but tough and disciplined. To this day, his former students will remember the word throughout the school, “Don’t mess around in Figard’s class”! He retired in 1997 after teaching for 22 years.
Chuck was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hamburg since 1972 where he served on Church Council for many years. He also served as a member of Hamburg Borough Council for many years and was previously the Vice-President. Chuck was an avid reader, primarily of history, and often read a book a week. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with Ruth and making pen and ink drawings, particularly of old railroad stations. He enjoyed home improvement and renovation projects, renovated nearly every room in his house, and helped build two additions for his sons. In 2002, he combined his architectural skills with Son Todd’s engineering skills and built a bridge to connect parts of Todd’s property that were inaccessible during heavy rains. The bridge remains in service to this day.
Chuck is survived by one daughter: Jacqueline R., wife of Mac Frazier, Granite Falls, North Carolina; and four sons: Richard Todd, husband of Kathy (Boyd) Figard, Wadsworth, OH; Michael D. Figard, Orefield, PA; Steven B. Figard, New Egypt, NJ; and Matthew W., husband of Linda (Blimline) Figard, Ocean Pines, MD. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 am from Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., 65 S. 4th Street, Hamburg, PA 19526 (Off Street Parking in Rear). Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Hamburg. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com