Charles W. Oliver

“Charlie,” as he so humbly chose to be called, graduated at the top of his class at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point in 1949. Early on he served in the Korean War in Japan; as head of ROTC at U. Pennsylvania, as Chief of Staff for the Commander of USAF, Europe, and for many years as Deputy Director of the Dept. of Athletics at the US Air Force Academy, where he established the permanent US Olympic training site among his many enduring accomplishments. In addition to a B.S. in Engineering at West Point, he attended the prestigious Wharton School, and completed a Masters at Colombia University and Doctorate in Education at the University of Northern Colorado.

Amazingly, he was the number one tennis player in the U.S.A. from the time he was a freshman in high school under the early tutelage of tennis legend Don Budge, through his tenure at West Point, during which he beat three Wimbledon tennis champions. Later he played an exhibition match in Denver with then world no. 1, Pancho Gonzales (ten years his junior), and almost beat him, losing in the third set, 15-13. Beyond lettering in multiple sports, his preternatural leadership skills called on for him to be the President of his high school class and the E1 Company Commander at West Point. After retiring from an illustrious 30 year service career with seven distinguished service decorations including the legion of merit and bronze star, he went on to serve for many years as a revered tennis professional at the Philadelphia Cricket Club where he also mentored tennis pros such as Lisa Raymond. He was a member of the U.S. Senior Davis Cup Team and was later inducted into multiple halls of fame, including at West Point and the USTA. In his later years, this gentle man was known for a warm sense of humor and an absolute adoration for his great- and grandchildren.

He was loved by all who were fortunate to know him, including a proud mother and father, brother and sister, a beloved wife, five grateful children, 12 amazing grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and so many more fellow veterans and friends.

His memory will surely live on in all of our hearts forever, as long as there is stardust. See you down range Dad – you finally won the biggest one of them all: game, set, match.  To paraphrase a famous West Point motto, your life has been all about Duty, Honor, Country, and so much enduring love.