Charles “Charlie” Francis Holleman

Charlie was born on December 29, 1930, in Hopewell, Virginia, the only child of Frances Elizabeth Andrews Holleman and Charlie Buck Holleman. As aviators say, he “flew west” on October 2, 2025, at the age of 94. He will be laid to rest in Claybank Cemetery in Ozark, Alabama.

He grew up in Petersburg, Virginia, and began flight lessons on his 16th birthday. Following his graduation from Petersburg High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a radar operator from 1950 to 1954. During this time, he visited, organized and trained civilian volunteers across forty-three ground observation posts.

Following his military service, Charlie attended Auburn University, enrolling in the School of Engineering to work toward his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Administration. He joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, crop-dusted, and earned his commercial and instructor ratings. He also worked as a flight instructor, taught Army and Air Force ROTC students, and served as an engineer at the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. During this time, he met his future wife, Rhoda Holman of Ozark, Alabama. They were married on September 20, 1958.

After graduation, Charlie worked as a civilian contractor for the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), now the FAA, in Atlanta. Within a year, he took a job at Spence Air Base in Moultrie, Georgia, as an academic instructor in aerodynamics for the Air Force pilot training program. He taught aviation fundamentals to the first class of Air Force Academy pilots and flew the T-34, T-28, and T-37 aircraft.

When Spence Air Base closed, Charlie moved to West Lafayette, Indiana. On September 1, 1960, he began his 40-year career at Purdue University. He helped develop the Professional Pilot Program in the Department of Aviation Technology. He initially served as an instructor in Professional Pilot Technology, doubling as supervisor of the General Aviation Section. He later served as chairman of the Professional Pilot Program until 1996, when he stepped down and transitioned to a ten-month academic-year appointment before retiring on December 31, 2000.

At Purdue, Charlie was beloved by his students, many of whom fondly called him the “Aviation God.” He developed numerous academic programs and inspired generations of aviators. He taught courses in airline operations, federal aviation regulations, meteorology, principles of flight and high-speed aerodynamics, advanced navigation, aviation physiology, aviation history and aircraft and engine familiarization—including the DC-3, DC-6, DC-9, B-707, Beech 18, C-310, Navajo, DC-8, T-38, King Air C90-1, and DHC-1—as well as normal and emergency procedures and multi-engine aircraft systems.

Charlie developed the university’s first flight engineer course and was the primary author of the first Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Pilot Technology. Through his efforts, the department acquired three airline simulators. He attended the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California, to study aerodynamics and testing for performance capabilities. This experience allowed him to become a major contributor to the materials and expertise required to develop Purdue’s Flight Testing Course (based on the NTPS course) and to assist in developing lab and simulator experiments for that class. The course produced many engineers who went on to careers in flight test engineering. He also developed and taught Purdue’s aerobatic course, which gave students hands-on experience recovering aircraft from unusual attitudes. In addition, he participated in an Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research program to determine ozone content, temperature changes, and turbulence at various altitudes.

Throughout his life, Charlie nurtured his passion for flying through light, single-engine observation planes and by owning numerous aircraft. He served as Chapter President and State Secretary of the Air Force Association and was also a member of the Indianapolis Aero Club, Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association, Warbirds of America, Military Programs Committee, POGO (Petersburg Old Geezers Organization) and the Purdue Glider Club. He was featured in three “Who’s Who” volumes and was among 467 educators celebrated in Purdue’s Book of Great Teachers. In 1999, Purdue named its new simulator facility the Holleman–Niswonger Simulator Center in honor of Charlie and his friend and former student, Scott Niswonger. He received the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2015 and was inducted into the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame in 2021 for his lifelong contributions to aviation and education.

He flew over 165 different aircraft, ranging from the university’s DC-3s and Twin Beeches to aerobatic aircraft, taildraggers, King Airs, warbirds, gliders, and more. His nearly 16,000 hours of flight instruction in synthetic flight trainers, powered aircraft, and gliders included over 930 hours of aerobatic flying and instruction. If it flew at Purdue, Charlie taught it—and flew it.

Charlie retired from Purdue in 2000 as Professor Emeritus of Aviation Technology. He continued to share his expertise as Chief Instructor and Test Pilot for Swift Fuels, flying their first renewable fuel test flight and helping to pioneer the first renewable, high-octane unleaded aviation fuel. He flew test flights well into his eighties.

Charlie and Rhoda enjoyed attending many Purdue and aviation events, socializing with their friends, his students, and their aviation family. They also shared a love of reading and travel. The family went on many trips throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada—in their airplane, Scotty trailer, sailboat, or camper van. Charlie also enjoyed tennis, bicycling, canoeing, and kayaking with his family. During Purdue’s breaks, his love of the outdoors took him on even more adventures – completing an ice-climbing course that enabled him to summit Mount Rainier, hiking portions of the Appalachian Trail and Isle Royale National Park, utilizing aircraft jump seats to explore Alaska and scuba diving in the Florida Keys. But his favorite view was from the cockpit of planes, gliders—anything with wings.

Charlie Holleman lived a life of purpose, integrity, and joy—a life spent chasing the horizon and bringing others along for the ride. His spirit will continue to soar in the hearts of those he taught, loved, and lifted.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rhoda Holman Holleman; his daughters, Sonja Ellen Holleman and Rhoda Caroline Holleman Glover (Scott), and five grandchildren: Adrian Scott Glover, Bryce Charles Glover, Elise Caroline Glover, Henderson Clayton Glover, and Sonja Elizabeth Glover.

A remembrance event will be held at Purdue University Airport on November 8, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:30am. Family, friends, former students and colleagues are invited to join in celebrating Charlie’s life. An RSVP is requested by registering via the link below.

RSVP Here:

https://events.blackthorn.io/en/3ktO526/2025-aviation-alumni-brunch-4a9GNs8L5h/overview

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either of the following scholarships at Purdue University:

– Charles F. Holleman Undergraduate Scholarship Award Quasi Endowment

– Holleman-Niswonger Endowed Scholarship for Aviation Technology

The following link may be used for both scholarships:

https://giving.purdue.edu/west-lafayette/ppi-folder/imo-charles-holleman/?appealcode=22257