Colonel Charles Hendrickx

Born June 11, 1939 in Tensed, Idaho and passed away on November 9, 2024 in Orting, Washington at the Soldiers home. He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Hendrickx, and sister, Reta Clark. 

His father was a logger the first six years of his life, and lived in logging communities, Chester California, Pondorsa, Oregon and moving to Raymond in 1945. He had an older brother, Raymond, an older sister, Donna, and a younger sister, Reta. 

Chuck attended Raymond High School and lettering 13 times in football, basketball, track and baseball and graduated as the Valedictorian in 1957. He attended the University of Washington majoring in Fisheries and joined ROTC, graduating in 1962. 

Chuck joined the Air Force as a weapons controller and eventually was accepted as a fighter pilot, training in Tucson, Arizona. Chuck flew the F-4D and the F111 over 300+ missions in Vietnam. 

Captain Charles Hendrickx distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-111 Air craft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on October 21, 1972. On that date, Captain Hendrickx successfully struck a militarily significant target in North Vietnam. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Hendrickx continued to his target were highly concentrated and active. A devastating attack against this aircraft by surface-to-air missiles was defeated only through the extraordinary aerial ability of this aircrew. Considerable damage to the F-111 was incurred by the exploding missiles, but the aircrew was able to recover at an alternate airfield, saving a valuable aircrew and aircraft. The courageous and aggressive attack by this aircrew resulted in a mission success that was vital to the United States military and diplomatic efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hendrickx reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. He received multiple Distinguished Flying Cross awards. 

Chuck was an adventurer and loved to hunt, fish, and travel. He loved to fish on the Willapa River, trips to Alaska as well as clamming, crabbing in the area. He enjoyed hunting in Idaho, Colorado and in Raymond. A favorite travel experience of Chuck’s was taking the Honor Flight to Washington DC where along with many other Veteran’s he toured each military memorial, especially enjoying the Vietnam War Memorial and Air Force Memorial.

Chuck was a member of the VFW, Raymond Elks, America Legion and Raymond Eagles. He leaves behind two children; Tamarah Grigg and Brett Hendrickx and his sister, Donna Lindemood. A memorial service will take place November 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo.