chuck leitzke
in loving memory
And when our work is done,
Our course on earth is run,
May it be said, 'Well Done;
Be Thou At Peace.'
memorial service details
Graveside Service
Graveside memorial service will be held in the Calvary Extension section. Military Honors start promptly at 2pm.
Attire is up to you, but please note that this is an outdoors event on the grass in January so please take that into consideration.
Celebration of Life Reception
A reception will follow the graveside service. All are welcome.
Time: 3pm-6pm
Location: Veterans Association of North County
1617 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058
Let us know
All are welcome to attend both the service and reception. We appreciate you letting us know if you will attend so that we can plan accordingly.
getting around
Calvary Extension, where the graveside service is held, is at the very far back end of the memorial park below a cul-de-sac.
There is room to park along the road that leads to it, but some walking may be required. (The earlier you arrive, the closer you will get to park.) There is also a parking lot at the main building to the right of the entrance if you wish to meet there and carpool to the graveside.
Map of Eternal Hills Memorial Park
remembering chuck
Charles “Chuck” Leitzke passed away peacefully at his home in Escondido, CA on December 29, 2022 surrounded by family. He is survived by his children Eric, Alex, Krista, Kyle, and Cory; his grandchildren Cade, Hailey, Leilani, Brooklyn, and Luke and soon-to-be great-grandchild Caiden.
After his love for his family, his life was marked by a passion for sports. He grew up near Sandusky, Ohio, and was a star athlete in high school for track, football, and baseball while excelling academically. He was an avid baseball, football, and college basketball fan, with a keen memory for baseball facts, and an avid follower of Duke men’s basketball. He will be truly missed.
A Google photo album has been set up to share memories of Chuck's life.
West Point Cadet Eulogy Page
Chuck attended United States Military Acdemy West Point before serving as a Captain in the US Army during the Vietnam war. As a West Point cadet and alumni, he has a personal page where eulogies may be posted to share memories and messages about and for him.
"Best of the Line! '69"
obituary
Chuck, born Charles William Leitzke, was the first born of 6 to his parents Richard Charles Leitzke and Eunice May Weber in Sandusky, Ohio. He was referred to as “Prince Charles” and had a passion for learning—so much so that he reminisced about eagerly waiting for the bus to go to school as a young boy.
A story from his early years told thousands of times was of the infamous brick fireplace—an outdoor structure where he regularly practiced his baseball pitching.
Finally, after countless hours and accurate pitches at it, he knocked one brick perfectly loose—the one right in the middle of the strike zone. So his story of perfect practice with determination, commitment, and accuracy goes…
In high school, Chuck excelled academically and athletically. He was the Salutatorian for Perkins High School class of 1965; State Boys’ representative junior year; class president freshman and sophomore years; received varsity letters with the football team, basketball team, and baseball team; was Football team captain as a senior, and Most Valuable Player of baseball team junior year.
His yearbook nickname, “Twinkle Toes,” is still a mystery to his children. At this point in his life, he acknowledged, he was used to achieving at high levels at everything.
Chuck was selected as a cadet at West Point where he graduated top of his class. He then served as a Captain in the Army while stationed in Vietnam and Germany.
While living overseas with the Army, Chuck was faced with a difficult decision to continue his prestigious military career, or leave for civilian family life to raise his two sons back in the US. Chuck chose family, as he always did, and after being honorably discharged from the military, he lived in Vista for over 40 years.
Chuck’s first and foremost love is easily accepted as his family with 6 children. He was married three times. At home he could be found playing on the ground after work in the early years, helping with homework in the school years, and throughout he was preparing meals, giving rides, and showing up to as many games, matches, and recitals as possible. To a fault, Chuck was passionate about supporting his children, and honestly, sometimes frustrations got the best of him and he took it out on the poor referees. Yes, he was that sideline parent sometimes.
Chuck was an avid baseball, football, and basketball fan, with a keen memory for baseball facts. He was specifically an avid fan of Duke men’s college basketball, and his relationship with head coach Mike Krzyzewski, aka “Coach K,” gave this fandom even more personal meaning. They were roommates at West Point academy for a semester and in the same company, E-3 class of 1969.
Chuck also loved scenic drives and the back roads. His children used to joke his middle name could have been “Thomas Guides” because he would have all the side streets and shortcuts memorized. Even if the highway seemed like the best route for others, Chuck knew and took the scenic back roads—it was all about the journey, not just the destination.
Additionally, even though he had his own periods of need, being of service and offering a “hand up” to others was a core principle that Chuck demonstrated throughout his life.
His primary value for life was Honesty; and he still held the West Point Academy values of commitment, integrity, honor, and teamwork closely to his heart. In 2019 at Chuck’s 50th college reunion with West Point he noted having two rules for life: 1) Don’t ever give up, 2) Remember Rule #1.