Charles McAfee

Charles Lewis McAfee

August 20, 1935 – October 29, 2025

Charles Lewis McAfee - known to most simply as “Chuck” - passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 29, 2025, at the age of 90, following a four-year journey with dementia. Born on August 20, 1935 in Lincoln, Illinois, he was the son of Lewis and Mary McAfee and the younger brother of Lois Smith, all of whom preceded him in death.
Chuck grew up with a natural curiosity and a love of problem-solving - traits that shaped every chapter of his life. In 1957, he graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, launching a long and distinguished career in a rapidly evolving field. Engineering suited him perfectly. He loved to “work the problem,” apply steady logic, and uncover solutions others might overlook.

Chuck’s career at Kaiser Electronics spanned 39 years where he shaped every major development program since 1959. His deep technical expertise, paired with exceptional people skills and clear, thoughtful writing earned him the admiration of colleagues across the industry. His work took him around the work, including memorable business trips to Japan where he built lasting professional relationships. Among his many contributions, Chuck was part of the pioneering team that shaped aviation history, modernizing aircraft cockpits for US and international air forces, commercial airlines, even NASA - an achievement he carried with quiet pride.

On June 27, 1959, Chuck married the love of his life, Rosario Dolores “Roz” McAfee, and together they shared 66 years of unwavering love and partnership. Their marriage formed the center of a close-knit family grounded in loyalty, generosity, and enduring faith in God.

Throughout his life, Chuck was known by many names, but none more affectionately than “Beef,” the nickname bestowed by his children. No one remembers exactly how it started, but it stuck for decades; so much so that he proudly drank his morning coffee from a mug bearing the name.

Chuck also possessed an extraordinary memory for numbers and sequences, earning him another beloved title from his children: “the human calculator.” He delighted family and friends by reciting long strings of digits of Pi (3.14…) and by effortlessly reciting the alphabet backwards - party tricks that never failed to amuse and amaze.
Chuck was also a surprisingly good athlete. He enjoyed the rhythm and strategy of tennis, the camaraderie of basketball, and the precision of billiards. Whether on the
court or around a pool table, he brought the same qualities that defined the rest of his life: patience, persistence, and a good-natured competitive spirit.

A true Midwesterner at heart, Chuck loved hearty, simple food. He was famous for his homemade creation lovingly dubbed “gobblygook,” a one-pan medley of whatever he could find in the refrigerator or pantry. He was equally well known for his potato chip sandwiches. “Why spend money on deli meat,” he’d joke, “when you can enjoy salty chips and mayo between two slices of white bread?”

Chuck had a legendary sweet tooth. After being diagnosed with diabetes, he gave up candy, but he steadfastly refused to give up cookies. For his final Christmas, his daughter Kathy gifted him a blue Cookie Monster stuffed animal from Sesame Street - a perfect and joyful companion for a man whose love of cookies brought him delight (and crumbs) right up through his final days.

Chuck was briefly survived by his wife Roz, who passed away six weeks after her beloved husband of 66 years. They were inseparable and now their love story continues in Heaven.

Chuck and Roz are survived by two sons and one daughter, three daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law, all of whom he welcomed completely into the family:
• Katherine McAfee Schoenholzer, married to Byron Schoenholzer • Roderick McAfee, married to Kristin Masters McAfee • Thomas McAfee, married to Maggie Paterson McAfee • Sandy Jay McAfee, the loving wife of his late son, David Charles McAfee (1960–1992)
Chuck and Roz are lovingly remembered by their grandchildren:
● Adam McAfee (married to Anna Vakili McAfee),
● Alec McAfee (married to Emily Hodges McAfee),
● Aaron McAfee,
● Marissa McAfee,
● Ella McAfee,
● Preston McAfee,
● and Tatyana Zamarian,
● as well as his great-grandson, Kai McAfee, who brought him immeasurable joy.

Those who knew Chuck will remember his integrity, patience, gentle humor, and generous spirit. He treasured simple joys - family dinners, a good book, Excel spreadsheets (which he truly loved!), coordinating vacations for his family, shopping with Roz, and a job done well. In fact, many jobs well done. His quiet wisdom, steady presence, and warm sense of humor were gifts that shaped generations. Everyone loved Chuck.

A private family gathering in honor of Chuck’s life was held at Celebration Village, where he and Roz spent the last few years of their lives together. A private memorial will be held in February to celebrate their lives together, together. They will be buried at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens in Cumming, Georgia alongside their son, David.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Chuck and Roz’s memory by donating to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org/give-monthly) or by performing a small act of kindness or by baking a batch of homemade cookies for someone in need - gestures that reflect the way he lived.

Chuck’s presence will be profoundly missed, and his memory will be held with deep love by all who knew him.