Charles M. HOLTZINGER A pillar of our family passed away Sunday, January 30, 2005 in Yakima. Charles Milton Holtzinger, age 71, beloved patriarch and friend died peacefully at home after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Charlie lived for the full experiences of life. He loved his family and his friends. In the late 1950's at the age of 23, Charlie was honorably serving his country in Japan as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In 1958, he received word of his father's death. Within a year, Charlie returned home to assume the helm of his father's fruit company, C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Co, Inc. Charlie executed one of his first business ventures by purchasing a large apple growing and packing operation in Okanogan County. It was known as the Johnny Appleseed Ranch ("The Ranch"). He and his Seattle partner and friend owned this operation for almost twenty years. Charlie would fly up to The Ranch many times throughout the year. He loved piloting his very fast Beechcraft Bonanza to a grassy airstrip cut into the middle of one of his apple orchards. Throughout the years, Charlie would invite his pilot friends up to The Ranch for parties at an adjacent lake. These "Fly-ins" were always memorable. The Ranch fed other passions of Charlie; namely hiking, hunting and fishing. The nearby mountains offered tremendous chucker and quail hunting. Charlie was a great shot. His hunting and fishing exploits took him all over the world. Charlie fished from northern Alaska to the jungles of Venezuela. Ever mindful of wildlife, he built and maintained numerous bird and animal habitats from Okanogan to Hermiston. Charlie's winter adventures took him from the Arctic to the bowls of Vail. This great man loved to ski. He was President of the White Pass Ski Company for over 25 years. Charlie spent many winters packing his sons, nephews, neighbors and even a couple of soon to be World Cup Champions around the Northwest. The journeys were most often taken in a 1967 Chrysler station wagon known as "The Queen". In the late 70's, the adventuresome Charlie Holtzinger expanded his orchard and packing business by acquiring Prosser Fruit Service. This was the Company's first foray into the cherry business. In the early 80's, Charlie again entered into a new business. He and some friends founded Quail Run Winery, now known as Covey Run. Charlie will always be remembered for his sense of humor, big cigars and his even bigger heart. He was a very committed man who took care of his family and his friends. We will miss him so very much. Charlie is survived by his wife Sandra Ruth Holtzinger; children C. Mark Holtzinger (Sara), Brian S. Holtzinger (Joy), David M. Holtzinger and Savanna Y. Holtzinger; a sister Sara A. Keefe (Tyler); and six grandchildren. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Charles Milton and Virginia Webb Holtzinger. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the White Pass Ski Team, P.O. Box 3030, White Pass, WA 98937, or the USO, World Headquarters, Department WS, P.O. Box 96860, Washington DC 20090-6860. Charlie's family will hold a Celebration of His Life at the Carpenters Union Hall, 507 South 3rd Street, (south of the new police station), in Yakima, Thursday, February 3, 2005, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.. This celebration is open to his friends and family. Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home Yakima, Washington