Obituary of Charles B. Knowlen

Lt. Colonel Charles B. "Chuck" Knowlen passed away January 28^th, 2023 at a local hospital. Charlie was born in Lincoln, ME to parents Ervin and Helen R. Knowlen in 1935. He grew up on a dairy farm in Holden, ME. He met his high-school sweetheart, Beverly Brew, in 8^th grade and they graduated together from Brewer High in 1954. He then attended the University of Maine getting his Bachelor’s in Agronomy, where he and Beverly married his Junior Year. He graduated UMAINE in 1958 and was sworn into the Army as 2^nd Lieutenant that same day and later earned a masters degree from Georgia University in education and counseling.

Chuck, as he was known in the military, was proud of his time in the service. He spent 20 years and 20 days in the Army Infantry-Aviation and the 1^st Cavalry Division. He completed two tours in Vietnam where he flew 11 different types of helicopters including Boeing H-47 Chinook. Chuck recalled his “best assignment I had” was in Butzbach, Germany when he commanded a seven-hundred-man Mechanized Infantry Battalion. In his time Chuck received a “Silver Star”, two “Bronze Stars”, 25 Air Medals, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry from the Vietnamese Army, and several more decorations.

After Army retirement, Charlie worked for UPS for nearly 15 years and then continued working for his daughter, Wendy, in her greenhouse ‘The Petal Patch’ for many years afterward. He continued serving his community as a Chairman for the Troop-Greeters at Bangor International Airport and volunteered for many years at the Cole Land Transportation Museum - where his helmet can be seen on the ‘Pilot’ inside the helicopter displayed outside.

Charlie leaves behind a loving family including his wife of 65 years, Beverly Knowlen; two daughters Wendy Knowlen Tasker, Tonya and husband Chad Perkins; five grandchildren, Paige, Bradley and wife Katie, and Synclaire Tasker, Walker and wife Jazmin, and Aurora Franks; six great-grandchildren Addison, Isaac, Paisley, Christopher, Lucas and Jacob; cousin Barbara Ameen; and two nephews Jeff and Greg Bemis. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brother Aubrey Knowlen and sister Audrey Bemis.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Maine Veterans Home, in memory of Charles Knowlen.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1 – 3 PM Sunday, February 5, 2023 at Jeff’s Catering, 15 Event Center Way, Brewer. A private Military Burial Service will be held in the Spring. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Brewer and Bangor. Messages and memories may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.