Charles B. Saalfeld

During his 67 years, Charles B. "Chuck" Saalfeld cheated death a number of times. During the Vietnam War, the Northern Kentucky native enlisted in the Navy. As a specialist in electronic surveillance, Chuck flew about a dozen missions. But it was the one he didn’t fly that would come back to haunt him. During what would have been one of his final missions, Chuck was unable to fly because of illness. The plane was shot down and there were no survivors. In 1996, he successfully battled flesh eating bacteria. More than a decade later, the long-time volunteer at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association swim meets was hanging a banner when he tumbled from the top row of bleachers, shattering his shoulder.
But for Chuck, the most formidable opponent proved to be cancer. In 2012, the non-smoker developed throat cancer. During the next four years, he fought the disease with radiation, surgery and chemotherapy, before dying at Madonna Manor in Villa Hills on March 20. The family man with the ever present camera loved jelly beans, NCIS and all things military.
Born Charles Booth Saalfeld, he grew up in Park Hills and Fort Wright. He graduated from St. Joseph Preparatory School in Bardstown, and his roommate, Dan Sheehan, would become his closest friend for half a century He attended Eastern Kentucky University before enlisting in the Navy in November 1967. Chuck helped out at the family business, The Saalfeld Paper Co., as a 4-year-old, stuffing envelopes and wrapping holiday gift baskets. As an adult, he held a number of positions during his 26-year career with the paper company, but it was photography that was his passion. For part of the 1970s, he was the Cincinnati Bengals chief photographer, and he also shot everything from weddings to breaking news. In recent years, Chuck volunteered his photographic talents at a number of venues, including the Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington and Kentucky High School Athletic Association regional and state swim meets. On its Facebook page, Richmond Model Swimming and Diving recently paid tribute to the long-time volunteer, head timer, photographer and fan who was the ultimate stopwatch, or ‘back it up guy.’
“Chuck was a favorite among swimmers and their parents alike for his warm personality and contagious smile. He will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of our program, and will be dearly missed.”
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Schroeder Saalfeld, and son, Chris Saalfeld, both of Crestview Hills, brother, Kurt Saalfeld of Independence, sisters, Judy Saalfeld Cahill, Richmond, Ky., Karen Saalfeld Byrne of Marietta, Ga., Dr. Esther “Fuss” Saalfeld of Fort Wright and Peg Saalfeld Harris of Ridgeland, Miss., nephews, Joshua Cahill, Silver Spring, Md., Adam Cahill, Cleves, and Nick and Zack Saalfeld, Independence, nieces, Erin Byrne Utsch, Canton, Ga., Lindsey Byrne Shelton, Smyrna, Ga., Rachel and Molly Harris, Ridgeland, Miss., Alison Cahill, Lexington, great nieces, Maggie and Emma Cahill, Silver Spring, Md., Madelyn Cahill, Cleves, and Shannon Utsch, Canton, Ga., and great nephews, Jackson Cahill, Cleves, and Finnegan Cahill, Silver Spring, Md.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. April 5 at Middendorf Funeral Home in Fort Wright with a memorial service to immediately follow at the funeral home. Burial will be 11 a.m. April 6 at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown. Memorials are suggested to the Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Rd., Covington, Ky. 41011.