I am sending you the notification of the passing of Charles Sapper, sent to me by Marta Gillen, Sr. Executive Assistant in the President’s Office at Diablo Valley College:
We are sad to report the passing of former employee Charles Sapper. Charles joined DVC in 1955 as an instructor in the social sciences teaching psychology, sociology and anthropology. Later in his career he became an assistant dean and then Dean of Instruction until his retirement. The following obituary and memorial service information is provided by a family member.
Obituary – Charles K. Sapper
Our beloved father and grandfather Charles Kenneth Sapper was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended The University of Chicago. His undergraduate studies were interrupted by the entrance of the U.S. into World War II. Joining the U.S. Army Air Corps, Charles piloted a B-17 heavy bomber and flew thirty missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.
Returning to The University of Chicago, he completed his studies, earning a Master’s degree in Social Sciences. Along the way, he met Paula Lee, who was visiting from Dublin, Ireland. They married in 1951; the wedding took place in Dublin, Ireland.
Charles began his teaching career in Portland, Oregon. In 1955, he joined the faculty at what is now known as Diablo Valley College (DVC) in Pleasant Hill, California. He later joined the Administration at DVC, retiring as Dean of Instruction in the late 1980s.
Charles remained in what became the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and was called back to active duty during the Korean War. Later, he retired as a Colonel. He was a loyal supporter of the Boy Scouts, and for several years, served as a member of the Selection Board for several members of Congress for their appointments to the U.S. service academies.
Paula died in 2015. Charles is survived by his loving children Charles B., Colleen, and David (Monique), and granddaughter LeeAnn (Zachary).
A viewing service will take place at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek, on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 10:00a.m. with Mass to follow at 10:30a.m. A reception will be held afterwards in the church hall. Interment will take place at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., Hayward, at 2:00p.m.
In lieu of flowers, family members suggest donations to the DVC Foundation, Hospice East Bay (3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill, CA 9423), the National World War II Museum (945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130), or the 390th [Bomber Group] Memorial Museum (6000 Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85756) in Charles’s memory.
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Thank you, Marta, for passing this on to us.
Nancy Zink
DVCRA Liaison