Thomas Charles Orr

Mr. Thomas Charles "Chuck" Orr, age 79, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on Friday, 10 March 2017. He was an active volunteer in the Anchorage community and attended Protestant services at the post chapel at Elmendorf AFB. Chuck grew up in Washington State in the 1940s. In 1956 he worked in Alaska and helped install taxiways on Elmendorf AFB; shortly thereafter he joined the US Air Force, serving tours in Korea and Taiwan. He was selected for Chinese language school at Yale and finished his enlistment at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, WA. He met and married Susan Winkel. He completed his BS (1964) and MS (1973) degrees in Language at Georgetown University. He served his country as a civilian for 47 years as a linguist for NSA, becoming the Agency's representative at the United Nations and for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. His final assignment brought him to Alaska, where he retired in 2006. In retirement, he volunteered at numerous organizations in the Anchorage area. Chuck was preceded in death by his mother, Joanne Orr Rooks, and his brother, James Michael Orr. He leaves behind his loving wife, Susan (Winkel) Orr, son, Eric M. Orr of Virginia, and Valerie Beth (Orr) Dillon of Lewisville, Texas. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kehl's Legacy Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Thursday, 23 March, at Legacy Heritage Chapel, 440 E. Klatt Road.