Obituary for Charles Drumm

CHARLES W. ( CHIC, CHARLEY, CAPT.) DRUMM, age 84, Westerville, died peacefully, December 28, 2020 at OSU Wexner MC with his loving wife Dana by his side. Born in Columbus, November 24, 1936 to Charles A. Drumm and Helene M. (Fritz) Drumm. Charley has a sister Marynelle Gale. One of his fondest childhood memories was time with “Pappy” – Wilbur Henry Fritz, his race horse training Grandfather.

He graduated from Holy Family H. S. , 1954. A U. S. Navy Aircraft Electrician’s Mate, served as an instructor of electrician’s and pilots regarding the operation of aircraft electrical systems, among other duties. A proud veteran!

Working on Pennsylvania Railroad as a firemen, stoker, & water tender on steam trains, “fired” his lifelong train pursuits. If diesel engines had not evolved after his service, he may have had a different career. A proud railroader!

In 1959, joined the Columbus Fire Department, retired as Captain , 36 yrs. of service ( aircraft crash rescue, ladder co., engine co., & emergency squad). Through those years, performed duties of In- Service Training Officer contact with 105 officers / 446 firefighters ( supervised writing training outlines for officers, originated & supervised training tower program for all firefighters, devised & introduced to officers chart system for calculating hydraulic pressures on fire ground, Honor Guard). Supervise Fire Prevention District. Act as High Rise Building Safety Officer. Function as acting Battalion Chief. A proud first responder! He has an AA in Fire Science Technology, Columbus Technical Institute, 1974 and a BS in Public Administration, Franklin University.

Survived by loving wife of 30 years Dana Lee Drumm. Left to cherish his memory are Daughters Lynn Dembski (Mark), Lori Manning, Son Bradley C. Drumm. Former spouse Jearlyn Lane. Grandchildren Lindsay Spoon, Alex Spoon, Bethany Blakely, Benjamin C. Drumm, Daniel Dembski, Emily Drumm and Great Grandson Levi Spoon. Sister Marynelle Gale, Michigan, numerous nieces & nephews. He will be dearly missed by childhood friends and his wife’s family & cousins. Preceded in death by his parents, and Lois (Mobley) Drumm.

A supportive and encouraging Dad. He instilled family values– honesty, integrity, hard work, education, a giving spirit by example ( help strangers & people he knew, support varied charities, Red Cross blood donor plus Hurricane Katrina relief) and togetherness . He taught them outdoor appreciation (camping, canoeing, sail boarding, skiing, biking ). Transferring his innate ability to repair anything (often improved over original) had differing success depending on each child’s interest –his keen humor and orneriness helped (example, auto mechanics ). Attending school activities was pleasure not duty seeing them excel. A proud family man!

While his family was his priority, Charley sought solace and adventure in the outdoors –lakes, mountains, rivers, mesas, sunsets, storm chasing - bicycling, Lake Erie sail & power boating, pilot single engine & gliders + parachute, fishing, hunting, hiking, & motorcycling. Travelling the country by RV allowed local touring by motorcycle. These activities often presented opportunities to aid strangers. Plane and train watching throughout the country combined with either of those in festivals, fly-ins, airports, rail yards, museums gave Charley a great deal of simple pleasure.

After 82 years of a healthy life, he dealt with multifactorial neurology without complaint.

The family wishes to recognize many who helped Charley , especially Dr. Gregory Bobulsky, other physicians, Rebecca Davis RN & staff at OSU Wexner M.C., First Community Rehab, Natl. Church Res. Home Health.

Ret. Capt. Charles Drumm, 84 (Columbus Fire Dept) will be laid to rest with Firefighter Honors at 12:45 pm, August 5, 2021 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, OH. A celebration of his life for all his friends and family is being planned for a later date. in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to USO, American Red Cross or your favorite charity.

“ THE STATION “

Sooner or later, we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are the twin thieves who rob us of today. So, stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.

Robert Hastings

Charley Drumm, A life well lived, he passed as he lived with gentle dignity.