Colonel Charles A. Harsanyi

Colonel Charles A. Harsanyi, 83, USAF retired, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2023, in Sarasota, Florida, with his family by his side.

Charles was born in New York, NY, and raised in Jackson Heights, but spent much of his teenage years at the family home in Stephentown, NY, during the summers before moving there permanently in 1955.

In 1961 Charles completed his undergraduate education at Union University College of Pharmacy and received his license to practice Pharmacy in 1962. Shortly thereafter, in 1962, Charles joined the United States Air Force (USAF). He held various positions in Combat Arms, serving in Vietnam in the late 1960’s. In 1970 Charles transferred to the Medical Service Corp, where he served for the rest of his Air Force career. While in the Air Force, he completed advanced degrees; M.Sc. Logistics Management (Air Force Institute of Technology, 1967) and Ed.D. Education Administration (University of Southern California, 1982). Charles was the Dean of the Air Force School of Health Care Sciences from 1988-1991.

When he retired from the USAF in 1991, Charles worked for the State of Texas as a surveyor/investigator and then program director in the Long-Term Care Regulatory Department, retiring in 2002. He then went on to work as a consultant pharmacist for nursing homes in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Charles was an avid runner. He believed in staying fit, eating right, and spending quality time with his family. He was pre-deceased by the love of his life and wife of nearly 50 years, Betty, his brother, Kenneth, and his late wife’s children from a previous relationship, Pamela Clifton and Beverly Kalmon.

Charles A Harsanyi is survived by his daughter, Maria Harsanyi of Sarasota, FL, his brother Wendell Harsanyi of Pasadena, MD, nephew Wendell Harsanyi, Jr., nieces, Anita Harsanyi, and Amy Cordes. Charles is also survived by five grandchildren: Kayla Lunczynski, Michael Harsanyi, Jeremy Harsanyi, Anna Harsanyi, and Sara Harsanyi, three great-granddaughters: Porter Lunczynski, Kimble Lunczynski, Ivy Harsanyi, and his late wife, Betty’s, children from a previous relationship, Lana Bernardin and Joseph Clifton.

The burial will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to VVA, Vietnam Veterans of America.

A Memorial Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 17^th, 2023 at 5pm at 1654 Braid Hills Drive, Pasadena, MD. The burial will take place on Monday, September 18^th, 2023 at 9am at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to VVA, Vietnam Veterans of America.