Charles Catlin Dundore, a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1960, passed away on June 6, while in the hospital recovering from minor surgery. He was 90. Born August 19, 1919, in Seattle, Washington, Chuck was the oldest of four children born to a young Army Air Corps pilot (NAME) and his bride Paula. He had to take the lead while his father was away, and more so when his mother passed away when he was 19. Employed at Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica in 1940, and attending school, Chuck provided a good portion of the family’s support. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944, and with his mechanical aptitude and experience as a technical writer at Douglas Aircraft, he was soon off to pilot training in Texas. Fortunately, the war ended and no more pilots were needed. Chuck completed his military service as a crew chief on a B-25 bomber, flying stateside.’He fondly told of flights up the west coast where low passes over Hearst Castle were required to get a good look at the movie starlets by the pool.’ After leaving active duty, Chuck returned to school at UCLA to complete an engineering degree.’He continued in the Air Force Reserve for more than 20 years, retiring as a major.’ While at UCLA, Chuck saw across the quad what he later described as ‘the one,’ the young Roberta, who would later become his wife of 61 years.’Their time together at UCLA was disrupted when Chuck had to transfer to UC Berkeley to complete his engineering program.’ After graduating, Chuck returned to Douglas Aircraft and rose through the ranks to become chief controls engineer on the DC-9 and then chief engineer on the DC-10 and C-17.’He retired in 1984 after the Air Force confirmed a contract for the C-17.’During C-17 flight-testing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Chuck was able to work again with the Air Force, which was a great way to end a 40-year career. He also was proud seeing the tremendous success of the C-17 in various theaters throughout the world.’ Chuck had many varied interests and was not one to have an unproductive moment. He had a love of photography from a young age (having built his own darkroom and never having fewer than 20 cameras), he loved foreign films and read voraciously, he loved to repair anything for anybody, being equally adept at advanced electronics (he built his own color TV), mechanics (he restored vintage cars and rebuilt dozens of engines, often machining his own parts in his well-equipped garage) and construction (he was active in building and maintaining his Palisades home).’ Chuck came from a generation of ‘doers’ who could do all of their own work, yet were always humble about it. A lifelong fan of motorcycles and British cars, he bought his first motorcycle, an Indian, for $5 when he was 13, and at 22 he drove a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Tourer, because ‘they could be found cheap since nobody appreciated them.” A 30-year member of the Rolls Owners Club, Chuck and Roberta loved to attend the club’s posh events with their 1950 Bentley, but he always felt a little out-of-place because few members could truly delve into the details of their restorations, except to say what shop they used.’Chuck did ALL of his own restoration work, including upholstery, body and paint.’ He also continued rebuilding and riding motorcycles into his late 70s.”’ A 50-year member of Palisades Lutheran Church, Chuck could always be counted on to help out during services or with repair projects, or to participate in their annual ski trips to Mammoth. Travel and family were Chuck’s other passions. With young kids in tow he orchestrated two fly-and-buy-a-car trips, one to New York and back to L.A., the other a five-week trip through Europe. During his active retirement, he took more than 20 cruises to destinations all over the world with Roberta, family and friends. This was his favorite way to vacation, which culminated with his final cruise last spring to Hawaii.’ He was also extremely supportive of his children and grandchildren, always looking for ways to be helpful.’He never missed a family gathering, always taking the pictures.’He adored his grandchildren and spoiled them with interesting gifts, often things he had collected or made himself with painstaking care.””” Chuck was very fortunate to have lived a rich life, fully active well into his 90th year.’He will leave a void in the lives of his family and friends that cannot be filled.’ In addition to his wife Roberta, Chuck is survived by his two children, Gina of Santa Maria and Mark of Thousand Oaks; their spouses Gerhard and Carina; and his two grandchildren, Marika and Jason Dundore. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 18, at 2 p.m. at Palisades Lutheran Church, corner of Sunset and El Medio.
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