Charles Morris Forsyth ’45

Charles Forsyth died in his sleep, July 15, 1997, of cardiac failure. He was 74.

Charlie was born in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Webster Groves [Mo.] H.S. before entering Princeton in 1941, graduating in 1944 with a BS in aeronautical engineering. Charlie liked to tell of being coached in football by George Shultz '42.

His first job was with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1944. In 1948 he joined the then-fledgling McDonnell Aircraft Corp. in St. Louis. At McDonnell he worked his way up through the ranks to v.p. for project management, while making major contributions to the development of Mr. McDonnell's spooks, fighter aircraft named Banshee, Demon, Voodoo, and Phantom. He also helped with the development of America's first manned spacecraft, Mercury.

When McDonnell merged with Douglas in 1969, Charlie volunteered to join Douglas as v.p. and assistant to the president. He traveled the world as v.p. of marketing. He retired from Douglas as e.v.p. in 1982. Charlie moved from Long Beach to Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., after retirement. He traveled and played lots of golf.

Charlie, who is survived by his wife, Becky, the former Rebecca Ramsay, a son, Bruce, a daughter, Jane, and a brother, Paul, was known by all for his humor and his succinct and pithy way of dealing with all situations. He will be missed by his classmates, who extend sympathy to the family.

The Class of 1945