Obituary of Charles R. Pocher

Charles R. Pocher (Charlie), of Brick, NJ, passed peacefully Friday, January 12, 2018. He was reunited with his wife of 50 years, Bobbi, in Heaven on her birthday.

Charles was born May 8, 1936 in Wingdale, NY and grew up in Irvington, NJ. He held a degree in Business from Seton Hall University. 

A long-time resident of Stanton, NJ, Charles retired to Shore Acres in 1997.

Charles was an Airline Captain for United Airlines for 40 years before his retirement. He learned to fly at Ft. Rucker, Alabama in L-19 and Dehavilland Beavers. Hired by United Air Lines January 1966, he first flew as a flight engineer on the DC-6 then as Caravale Pilot on Vicounts and the 727. His career brought him back to flight engineer on the DC-10, progressing to co-pilot on the DC-8 and then the DC-10. He was promoted to position of Captain and flew with that distinction on the 727, DC-8, 767, 757 and DC-10.  At the time of his retirement, he was “The Captain” on the 757 and 767. He continued to remain involved with United Airlines though his membership in RUPA, the Retired United Airlines Association, connecting with them through lunches and enjoying their daily emails.

Charles was considered a pioneer of aviation, being one of the first to fly commercial jets in the United States. His name is listed on a plaque in the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum honoring that achievement.

He was a daily communicant at the Church of the Visitation in Brick and was a former member of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, NJ. Charles was a faith-filled man with a generous heart. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, served on the funeral ministry and was the Coordinator for the Respect Life Ministry at his parish. Along with his beloved late wife, Bobbi, he ran the Friendship Club at Immaculate Conception Church for over 20 years. He was a member of the Shore Acres Yacht Club in Brick and treasured his sailboat called “Carpe Diem”. Charles loved sailing and traveling but most of all, he loved being with his family, often traveling across the country to see his grandchildren participate in school and sporting events. Described as an “admirable man” and a “true gentleman”, he will be tremendously missed by all that had the pleasure to know him.

He is survived by his devoted children: Marybeth MacNaughton and her husband Scott of San Diego, CA; Paula Pocher-Miller and her husband, Roger of Stanton, NJ; Charles Jr. (Chuck) and his wife Peggy of Huntington Beach, CA; Richard of Middlesex, NC and his grandchildren: Colin and Cara MacNaughton and honorary grandson Andrew Espirtu of San Diego, CA; Quintin Pocher of Boone, NC and Chad, Kyle and Zachary Pocher of Huntington Beach, CA. Charles also leaves behind his brother, Donald and his sister, Joan Green, both of Cape May, NJ.

A funeral liturgy will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Annandale.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse, NJ.

Entombment will be in Immaculate Conception Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to unbound.org, an organization that Charles and Bobbi supported for over 15 years. unbound.org empowers children and their families living in poverty in Guatemala to become self-sufficient and fulfill their desired potential. Charles had already booked a trip for April 2018 to Guatemala to visit Kelvin, his third sponsored boy! All donations made in Charles’ name will go to Kelvin, Child # CH836326