Charles Maynard Linden

Charles M. "Chuck" Linden, 92, passed away at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following surgery, surrounded by his family. He was born January 26, 1922 in Sterling, Colorado. After playing basketball for famed coach Phog Allen at Kansas University, he joined the United States Army Air Corps following Pearl Harbor. He piloted C-47s and "flew the Hump" in support of American and Nationalist Chinese forces against the Japanese. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in 1944 in support of Merrill's Marauders in Northern Burma. After discharge from the Air Force, Chuck served as a professional pilot for Roscoe Turner and Harrison Eiteljorg until his retirement. He was an avid fisherman with his friends and family along the Frying Pan River in Colorado. He found great pleasure spending time with fellow veterans at the American Legion Post in Brownsburg, Indiana, to whom our family will be forever grateful. Chuck's granddaughters will miss his stories reminiscing of times spent overseas, and are grateful for his sound mind and happy spirit that endured until the end. He was the son of Herb and Agnes Linden of DeSoto Kansas, and was one of 12 children. He is preceded in death by his son Scott Linden, first wife Pauline Linden, second wife Hazel Linden, 4 brothers and 3 sisters. He is survived by sisters Jodi and Pat (Tom) and brothers Jack (Patt) and Delbert (Yvonne), his daughter Pamela Linden Cafouros (Greg), and granddaughters Katie, Kristen and Kari Cafouros and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held in DeSoto, Kansas at a date to be announced. Memorial contributions for wounded veterans may be made to Operation Mend at the website: operationmend.ucla.edu or mail a check to Operation Mend / Chuck Linden, payable to the UCLA Foundation, UCLA Medical Sciences Development, Attn: Becky Mancuso-Winding, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 3132 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1784.