Charles Tomson Glauser

May 28, 1916 – February 29, 2012

Charlie took flight on February 29, 2012 peacefully at home with his family by his side. We are all saddened to loose such a bright light from our lives. He was born on the family farm in Delisle, the second of seven children born to Laverna (Lengfield) and Rueben Glauser. After completing grade school in the rural setting he went to the University of Saskatchewan to become a United Church Minister. As a student minister in Nipawin, he did fundraising to supply sports teams with uniforms, and was instrumental in creating a gymnasium where young people could enjoy dancing or playing team sports. Charlie acted as disc jockey or coach. With the outbreak of the war Charlie applied to the R.C.A.F. for pilot training. He was posted to Elementary Flying School at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba and graduated to Service Flying Training School at Yorkton, flying bi-wing Tiger Moths and then a single wing Harvard. By October 1st, 1941 he was in Forres, Scotland in the R.A.F. training on a Whitley Bomber and then was sent to 115 Squadron in Marham, England for his Tour of Ops. While in Forres he met and fell in love with Evelyn Sutherland and her wonderful family. Unfortunate circumstances did not permit Charlie and Evie to be together at this time. He returned to Canada in September 1945. It was in Saskatoon that he married Margaret (Milne). They moved to Vancouver and Charlie re-enlisted in the R.C.A.F. where he began his career in air traffic control. Postings were in Fort Nelson, B.C., North Bay, Ontario, Bagotville, Quebec, Baden Baden (4 Wing), Germany, Metz, France and a finally a posting in Comox, where he retired at the mandatory age of 49 as Squadron Leader. In 1965 the Glausers moved to Victoria. It was there that he met Dr. Emma Smiley at the Victoria Truth Centre. He was ordained and through the ministry Charlie especially enjoyed relationships he made with the Young People. Charlie also worked with Hudson Blake at Hudson’s Tape Recording Centre. With the decline of his wife’s health, Charlie retired to support her until her passing. Following a lifetime apart, Evie and Charlie reconnected. They were blessed with 6 years of marriage, enjoying an Alaskan cruise, a train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer and meeting family and friends in western Canada. This past Thanksgiving a spontaneous family reunion happened in Saskatoon where 32 of Charlie’s relatives were together, some coming from as far away as Switzerland and Ontario. His mother, father, first wife, Margaret, brothers Stuart, Vernon, Calvin and Lorne predecease Charlie. His sisters Arleen Bell, Orvis Fischer, wife Evie, daughter Lynda Powell (Lloyd), and grandson Todd (Monica) survive him. Whenever we think of Charlie it is with great fondness. He was always supportive, never judgmental, and he had an ease to life that was inspirational. You would always see him at his grandson’s band concerts or cheering at his sports events. Todd will always remember his grandfather with a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, with two thumbs up, saying, “Give it your best shot”. We love you Charlie, Husband, Dad, Papa, Uncle, brother, friend.

The family would like to thank all that assisted Charlie, especially in the last 4 months of his life.

As Charlie considered his 95^th Birthday Party the Celebration of his Life, he requested that there be no additional service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Victoria Hospice Foundation or charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.

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