CAPTAIN CHARLES S. CARLISLE

Captain Charles Stuart Carlisle "Chuck" died in the early morning hours on December 31, 2010, surrounded by his family. Chuck is preceded in death by his parents; Elsie and Paul Carlisle; and his sister, Margaret "Jeannie" Carlisle. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy "Dutch" Carlisle; his three children, Cynthia Carlisle, Bruce Carlisle and his wife Debbie, and Margaret Carlisle; his six grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Chuck was born in 1924 and raised on a small cattle ranch in Darlington, Idaho. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, married Dutch, and began a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy beginning on the destroyer USS Wiltsie. In 1949, Chuck joined the submarine core. He served on the USS Amberjack until 1952, when Admiral Rickover selected him to participate in his fledgling program to develop a nuclear-powered submarine. There he spent three years in the development of the first sodium-cooled reactor prototype. He was then assigned as Engineering Officer on the original crew of the historic USS Seawolf. After four years of service on the Seawolf, Chuck became the director of the Nuclear Power School. In 1958, he became second in command of the USS Swordfish, followed in 1963 by his assignment as the Gold Crew Commanding Officer of the USS Tecumseh, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. In 1967, Captain Carlisle was assigned to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., followed by a tour of duty at the Pentagon. During this period he received his Masters Degree from George Washington University. In 1970, he was selected as the Commander, Submarine Squadron Ten and in 1971 served as the Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Submarine Flotilla Two.

In 1973, it was time for a change and he "retired" from the Navy to act as the Atomic Energy Commission's Field Representative in building the Fast Flux Test Facility at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington. In 1981 Chuck retired from government service to act as Deputy Program Director at the Washington Public Power Supply System. After the termination of the WPPS nuclear power plant construction program, he continued to work as a consultant to the Hanford Project until his retirement in 1996. Even in retirement, Chuck continued to contribute to the nuclear industry, consulting and writing.

Fiercely proud of his Scottish ancestry, Chuck was also interested and widely read in world history and the development of the nuclear power industry. He was known for his integrity, intelligence, and humility. A man of deep thoughts and a warm heart, he was respected and revered by all who knew him. He was a devoted husband and father, and leaves behind a void that cannot be filled.

A viewing will be held at Einan's Funeral Home from 6 to 8 pm, Friday January 7th and a Memorial Service will be held at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Richland, Washington on Saturday January 8, 2010 at 2 pm.