Charles "Austin" Huck
Nov 1, 1920 -
Aug 11, 2020
Charles "Austin" Huck, born on Nov. 1, 1920, in Wanaque, N.J., left this earthly plane, for his heavenly reward, on Aug. 11, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was 99 years and nine months of age. He left behind a legacy of kindness, generosity and service that has been an inspiration to his descendants and friends. Austin was preceded in death by his son, Joseph; and his beloved wife, of 52 years of marriage, Barbara. He is survived by his daughter, Melinda and her husband David of Anchorage; grandchildren Josephine and her husband Tim of Lincolnville, Maine, Megan and her husband Halsey of Portland, Ore., and Timothy and his wife Lisa of Seattle, Wash.; sister-in-law, Connie; nephew, Albert; and great-nephew, Geoffery, all of Anchorage.
Austin was a quiet, humble man. He was strong in his religious faith, dedicated husband, father and grandfather, and always ready to lend a hand wherever it was needed. He began his service to his country by enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1941. He served overseas in Europe, fought in World War II and later in the Korean conflict. After several years in service, he met the love of his life, Barbara. It was definitely love-at-first-sight, they were married after only a few dates, in 1952.
Austin and Barbara spent many years living and working and raising their family, moving from duty station to duty station. All the while, at each new location, becoming a part of the military community as well as the church community. Following his retirement from the Air Force at Homestead AFB in Florida, Austin and Barbara moved to Melbourne, built a home and settled into their new life. Austin went to work at Cape Canaveral. He found the work interesting and challenging. Austin was assigned to the Vertical Assembly Building (VAB), where the rockets were stacked as part of the Apollo Space Program. He was a crane operator and worked on stacking Saturn V rockets. The last rocket he stacked carried Neil Armstrong and crew to the moon.
During the next phase of his life, Austin went to work at Patrick AFB, Fla., as a master electrician. Through a series of synchronicities in 1970, he was offered a position as a traveling electrician in Alaska. One of his favorite stories was when he called his wife, Barbara, to announce the new job offer: Immediately, she called in her resignation to her job and began preparation to move. Again. Fourteen days later, the house was empty, the van was packed and the entire family was leaving for a cross-country drive to parts unknown.
After settling into life on the Last Frontier, Austin and family settled into new careers, schools and living in the Arctic. They built another new house and found a home with Saint Patrick's church. They were founding members of this new church and parish, were instrumental in building the community and later, the church building that is there, today. Austin is also a charter member of the Knight's of Columbus Council 11745, at St. Patrick's. While Barbara was the driving influence, in all projects, Austin lovingly supported each and every one. These projects included: creating a group of parishioners to prepare food for all of St. Patrick's events, organizing the monthly Polka parties - with a live band, the "Polka-Dots" - which continued for almost 30 years; baking hundreds of loaves of bread for distribution to the hungry, organizing donations of food, clothing and toys to needy families; holding game nights with lots of food for their close friends, holding family holiday gatherings in their home, and so very much more. Austin and Barbara loved entertaining - and feeding - family, friends and clergy. Austin said once, that he was a shy person before meeting Barbara. That all changed, and his life was ever richer and far more expansive because of her.
Austin's granddaughter Megan, adds this from her memories: "Grandpa had a knack for storytelling, a seemingly endless repository of colloquialisms, bits of wisdom that he freely shared. There was rarely a dull moment with him around. One of my fondest memories, was when we sat for hours going through old photographs and hearing him talk about his experiences in the Air Force during WWII, traveling the world and courting my grandmother. All the incredible details he has retained throughout his life." His granddaughter-in-law Lisa, has this to add: "During our wedding reception (to grandson, Timothy), he drew me out of the crowd, just to admire my ring. Which was the same ring he gave to his wife, at their wedding."
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in honor of Austin's favorite charities: the Deacon's Fund at St. Patrick's, EWTN, Feed the Children or any veteran's support organization.
Funeral Mass only, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at St. Patrick's Parish on Muldoon Road. Fr. Dan Hebert will be presiding. Seating is limited, masks must be worn. The service is also being live streamed on the St Patrick's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stpatsak. Burial services and a celebration of life will be conducted in the spring of 2021.
