LTC Charles Edward Harvey USAF (Ret.)

On joyful wing, upward flying, Retired USAF Lt. Col. Charles Edward Harvey, 92, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on September 9, 2024.

Born in Charleston, SC, on Dec 24, 1931, Charlie Harvey was a loving and loyal son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Throughout his life, he enjoyed reunions with his fellow classmates from St. Andrews, class of 1950, and The Citadel, class of 1954, where he excelled on the football field and boxing ring. Married at First Scots Presbyterian Church to his beautiful wife, Sylvia Craver Harvey, in 1958, they enjoyed 66 years of marriage and raised four children. Always an athlete, Charlie shared this passion with his wife and children, enjoying all manner of sports, as well as being an avid supporter of the Citadel Bulldogs and the College of Charleston Cougars. Additionally, Charlie and Sibby enjoyed extensive travel, including destinations on all seven continents.

As a child, Charlie was raised a Methodist and even until his last years looked forward to Camp Meeting at Cypress United Methodist Church, founded by his great-great grandfather, Dr. Joseph Murray. Charlie and his brother Tommy spent many hours in the woods and on the river playing with their Smith cousins in Ridgeville and the McCord boys at Magnolia Gardens. And, of course, Aunt Alma’s arrival at Christmas on the Asheville train, loaded down with presents, was always a highlight.

As an adult, Charlie raised his family in Lutheran, Episcopal, and Anglican churches in the various places they lived, including Mt. Olive Lutheran, in Irmo, SC, where he served as treasurer for over fifteen years. Always one to serve his community, Charlie’s contributions ran the gamut from receiving Rotarian of the Year and serving as President, Columbia Capital Rotary to President of the Irmo High Chorus Boosters, while his daughters sang in the choir, to supporting the Hibernian Foundation, the scholarship arm of the Hibernian Society. And, Charlie always found time for enjoying nature, be it woods or water, beach or mountain.

A man of many facets, Charlie was as comfortable in a flight suit as dress whites; Charlie loved dancing with his lovely wife at formal affairs and on the porch; cooking beignets on holiday mornings for the grandchildren; hosting pig roasts at Lake Murray and the comradery with extended family as they talked and laughed through the night keeping the wood fire burning; heading out on Florida road trips with Tony Meyer to watch MLB Spring Training; enjoying Heritage Golf Week yearly with friends and family since 1969; and, driving his Ford truck in the Seabrook Island 4th of July Parade, filled with the family decked out in red, white and blue.

As a commissioned officer in the USAF, Charlie was stationed in Iceland, Fiji, Texas, California, Alabama, Virginia, Thailand, Panama and Arkansas. As a patriot, he served his country in the Vietnam war as part of the 553rd Recon Wing, “Bat Cats” reconnaissance team, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, among others. Throughout his USAF career, Charlie also served in the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), 6593rd Test Squadron, responsible for recovering mid-air, CORONA reconnaissance capsules during re-entry from space, including Discovery 14; the Strategic Air Command, working with Gemini and Titan II space programs, and, the US Southern Command, J-3 Operations, responsible for joint military operations to enhance regional security in Central and South America and Caribbean Basin. While still serving in the USAF, Charlie continued his education at the Armed Forces Staff College and also earned his MBA.

Upon retirement from the USAF, Charlie returned with his family to South Carolina, and enjoyed a second career as a commodity broker at Merrill Lynch in Columbia. Upon his retirement from Merrill Lynch, Charlie and Sibby moved home to their beloved Charleston, and resided on Seabrook Island and Mount Pleasant.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Sylvia Craver Harvey; children, Joni Harvey McLeod (Troy); Rachael Harvey Schuck Conte (Steve); Charles Harvey, Jr.; and Sibita Harvey Proctor; grandchildren, Grace McLeod Reyes (Spencer), Alan McLeod, Chaz Schuck, Lexi Schuck, Mason Proctor (Julia), Maddie Proctor, and Harvey Proctor (Clara); and, great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Rowan, Wiley and Ronin.

In addition to his immediate family, Charlie is survived by his brother, Thomas L. Harvey (Johnnie, d.); and brother-in-law, Hope D. Craver (Sandra, d.); many nieces and nephews; and, his Smith cousins.

Charlie was pre-deceased by his father, Thomas L. Harvey; dear mother, Eula Lee Smith Moore and step-father, Wesley E. Moore.; sisters-in law, Myrtle Craver Bradham Riggs (Larry, d.) and Nancy Craver Boyd (Louis, d.); brothers-in-law, William E. Craver, Jr. (Jane, d.) and Ivey D. Craver (Marguerite, d.); and dear uncles, Herbert, Robert and Victor Smith.

The family is most grateful for his ever faithful and loving caregivers, Karen Moore, Yvette Howell and Jennifer Gray.

His Funeral Service will be held Monday, September 16, 2024 in The Citadel Summerall Chapel, 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Rd. Burial with military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made in his name to Agape Care Hospice, 3955 Faber Pl. Dr., N. Charleston, SC 29405, The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC 29409, and Hibernian Society of Charleston Foundation Inc, PO Box 134, Charleston, SC 29402-0134.

A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com