Charles Huffman Obituary

Charles A. "Chuck" Huffman, 97, of Willow Valley Manor North, Lancaster, PA, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 26th, 2023. He passed away peacefully at the end of a wonderful day with family, knowing that he was loved deeply. He was the devoted husband of the late Kathryn Ann Kuespert Huffman of South Bend, IN, for more than 66 years. He loved her with all his heart. Chuck was born in Lapel, IN, the son of Fred S. Huffman and Mary Lynette Crosson Huffman. He adored and admired his older sister, the late Laura Frances Huffman Henderson. In the second grade, he struck up a friendship with Bill Imler, which developed into a lifelong, cherished connection. Chuck graduated from Lapel High School, and went on to serve in the US Navy before receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. Shortly into his Jr. year, he met his future wife Kathryn at the University Presbyterian Church "tag" dance; they graduated together in 1948, and were soon making wedding plans for June 1950. Chuck was a Project Engineer with the DuPont Co. for over 36 years. He was an Electrical Design Specialist, designing and building manufacturing plants to make many products including synthetic fibers such as Orlon, Dacron, Lycra and Kevlar. He worked on many domestic and several foreign projects including ones in Iran, Northern Ireland and China, where he lived for more than two years. Prior to that he worked for the General Foods Corporation as a Design Engineer and for the Oliver Corporation as General Foreman for a B-47 sub-assembly and as farm equipment plant maintenance superintendent. After retirement from DuPont, Chuck remained active as a consultant. He was a Registered Professional Engineer, a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers. He was a life member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Purdue Alumni Association. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Lapel, IN, and was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. Chuck wished to thank all the men and women with whom he had the privilege of working. He was a member of and served for many years as a Deacon and Usher Captain in the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. Prior to that he served as an Elder, Deacon, teacher, and church school superintendent in the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Wilmington, DE. Chuck and Kathryn loved traveling together, having visited all fifty states and more than fifty foreign countries. Much of their state-side travel was done with their three children in a folding camping trailer, an experience which generated stories never to be forgotten. He and Kathryn had also attended more than forty Elderhostels. He delighted in his hobbies of travel and photography, which allowed him to make more than two hundred slide show presentations of their world travels. Other hobbies included golf, table tennis, woodworking and genealogy. He has written his life story titled My Abundant Life. Chuck was a generous man of faith who believed in honesty, integrity, and positive thinking. He believed that relationships are one of life's most valuable gifts, and cherished bringing his family and friends together for food, conversation, laughs, and memories. He was proud to be an American, friendly to everyone, and had a warm, infectious smile. He enjoyed helping others, and often went out of his way to do so. He was a happy man who felt privileged to live when he did, and hoped to have been able to make some small contribution to improving people's lives. He will be greatly missed. Chuck is survived by two sons, William A. Huffman, married to Sharon Carr Huffman, Willow Street, PA; and James B. Huffman, married to Barbara Ann Clements, Princeton Junction, NJ; one daughter, Anne E. Huffman Debbaut, married to the late Christian A. Debbaut, Hood River, OR; one granddaughter, Mary Kathryn Huffman Gough, married to the Rev. Timothy Gough, Llandudno, Wales, UK; three grandsons, Jeffrey A. Huffman, Willow Street, PA ; Christoper Z. Debbaut, married to Amy Lin, Honolulu, HI; and Peter S. Debbaut, married to Kristen Moody, Durham, NC; and one great granddaughter, Stella Marie Moody Debbaut. Chuck's family will greet guests at a Memorial Service in the Johnson Auditorium, Willow Valley Manor North, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM. The family wishes to give a gracious "Thanks" to all the Team Members who have cared for Chuck over the last few years. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will be private in Lower Brandywine Cemetery, 117 Old Kennett Rd. , Wilmington, DE 19807. Memorial Contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 140 East Orange St. , Lancaster, PA 17602.