Charles Vincent Fechter, age 103 was born in McAllen Texas, on January 19, 1919, to Arthur H & Julia E Picolet Fechter. At six weeks old the family moved back to the Wamego area. He attended school there and at Saint George. He was a farmhand and worked for the UPRR. At the outbreak of World War II, he was attending KSC and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. April 2, 1942. In addition to the Stateside, he served in Italy Sardinia, Corsica, France, and Australia.
Discharged on November 1, 1945, he went to work for Balderson, then to the Topeka Army airbase until it closed. Back in Wamego again he worked for a couple of different auto dealerships. In 1951 he moved to Wichita to work for the Boeing company, building B47 and B52 bombers. As a crew leader and troubleshooter, he was sent to various airbases across the country.
Seeking a change in 1961 he left the Boeing Co. and joined a partner in rebuilding and restoring storm accident damage to private aircrafts. In 1963 he moved to the milder climate of Eugene Oregon, where he purchased rental properties and did remodeling and handyman work for 20 years.
He enjoyed many hours crabbing, and fishing for trout and salmon with friends. He loved ice fishing in Minnesota and shrimping in Florida with his cousin. He retired back to Wamego in 1983. He traveled extensively throughout the US touching 45 states.
Vince was a licensed pilot and owned his own plane for several years.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, 17th bomb GS association B26 marauders, history society, and Saint Bernards Catholic Church of Wamego.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Edith Torrey; and three brothers, Harold who was killed in action in Italy during World War II, Victor Fechter and Arthur Dean Fechter.
He is survived by a brother, Larry Fechter; and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday morning (June 22, 2022) at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wamego, Kansas with Father Mike Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.
The family will greet friends on Tuesday evening (June 21, 2022) from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. A Rosary prayer service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernard Cemetery Maintenance Fund and may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.