Charles Edward Luce

Lt. Colonel Charles “Chuck” Luce passed away peacefully in Sacramento, California on July 4, 2026. Beloved husband to Penafrancia Luce, loving father of Rochelle Jaeger and Stephanie Luce, and father-in-law to Jesse Jaeger. Devoted grandfather of Addison and Nolan Jaeger.

Chuck was born in New York on October 27, 1940, to Harold and Louise Luce. He graduated from Ramsey High School in New Jersey in 1958 and enlisted into the United States Air Force shortly after—in which he would serve for twenty-nine years predominantly in the Vietnam War. He was commissioned as an officer on June 5, 1961, and had a very successful military career. He held positions as a navigator, flight instructor, and flight examiner. By retirement, he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He flew all over the world on all kinds of planes from B-52, C-141, to C-5. He was a member of Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52 Squadron from 1961 till 1966.  He was stationed at Seymour Johnson, Harlingen, Stewart, Mather, Travis, and McGuire Air Force Bases.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at New Jersey State University in 1972 and completed his master’s in science course work from Rutgers University. In his early years, he was employed as a pharmaceutical chemist at Schering Corporation in New Jersey working on his Doctorate’s degree under the direction of Dr. Derek H.R. Barton (1969 Noble Prize winner in Chemistry). In 1984, he joined Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) at Rancho Seco Plant working on nuclear plant operations and later nuclear chemistry. After the shutdown of the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant, he worked at Aerojet for twenty-two years retiring as a Technical Principal in Chemistry. However, he’s written in his journals that his most demanding of jobs was taking care of his two grandkids, which he quotes as “the only good thing about getting old …”

Chuck was a one-of-a-kind husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. The middle of six siblings, he had two daughters and two wonderful grandchildren. He has met many people and seen many places, but his favorite place will forever be the home he built in Fiddletown, in Amador County, California. Chuck was a kind soul, always looking out for others and helping out without a shred of repayment ever expected. He will be forever missed and eternally held close to heart.