Charles R. Pullen died of cancer on June 18, 2007 on Whidbey Island.

He was born in Buffalo, N.Y. on March 3, 1918, son of Edna Rae and Lester Pullen. He graduated from Clarkson University in New York, with his degree in aeronautical engineering.

He lived in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Calif. while employed as a manager in the aerospace industry at the Aerospace Corporation in Los Angeles. He served on the space shuttle program and became the liaison between the company and the government for the space shuttle.

He traveled extensively in his work as well as for his own enjoyment throughout the United States and Europe.

Boating was his passion. He explored many waters and islands extending from Baja, Calif., the California, Oregon and Washington coasts and into British Columbia, Canada and Alaska on his own boat with family and friends.

Family was extremely important and a very intricate part of his life.

His wife, Connie R. Pullen, whom he married on March 29, 1975 in Santa Barbara, survives him. They moved to Whidbey Island in 1981 when Charles retired from the Aerospace Corporation.

He served for many years as a deacon and on the board of directors of the First Methodist Church in Brentwood, Calif. He was also active with the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the International Society of Aeronautical Weight Engineers where he established many programs for the society, filled various offices and was given the honor of being elected an honorary fellow.

He has been extremely involved with the education and development of a beloved grandchild, Clynton Easley for the past 18 years.

He is also survived by two children, a son, Charles A. Pullen and a daughter, Janet Pullen, of Washington; two step children, David Kampschafer of California and Kris Kampschafer of Texas; two grandchildren, Susan Pullen of Washington and Nancy Pullen of North Carolina; and four step grand children of California, Samantha, Mariah, Kaylee and Connie Kampschafer.

A memorial service took place July 14 on the San Simeon Coast, Big Sur, Calif., which was and is considered by Charles and Connie a place where a harmonious but fragile balance between man and nature still exists. In lieu of any remembrance, please contribute to the Big Sur Land Trust, P0 221864, Cannel, Calif. 93922. This trust protects thousands of acres of shoreline, wildlife, habitat, streams, forests, grasslands and its awe-inspiring views. It is renowned for its wild, unrivaled beauty and its ever-changing ambiance of mountains, sea and sky of color and light. Hopefully it will be preserved for generations to come and the spirit of Charles will long be remembered in this rugged splendor that he so loved.

Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.