Chuck Brasher was born in Helena, Alabama February 21, 1934. He excelled in academic, sports, and many other activities while working at his father’s grocery store in Columbiana, Alabama. After high school he joined the Air Force where he was selected to train pilots and ground crew in the installation and use of automated pilot systems throughout Europe.
While training for this mission in Chicago, Illinois he met his wife of 66 years, Audrey Ann Zobel Brasher. Chuck and Audrey were scheduled to move to Las Cruses, New Mexico after his graduation from engineering school after his military service. His intent was to help track US satellites at White Sands Missile Range. During their move to New Mexico, they stopped to visit the new NASA facility in Huntsville, Alabama here he was offered a job.
Chuck worked for the Department of Defense and NASA projects throughout his career. He retired from the Marshall Space Flight Center as a Deputy Director working on Shuttle facilities, wind tunnels, the space telescope, and many other space related projects. In the late 1960s while at NASA, he worked with Calhoun Community College to start an extension program at NASA. He continued working with Calhoun for the rest of his life. At the time of his death Chuck was Deputy Director of the Huntsville Campus.
Throughout his life he also participated in fast pitch softball, umpiring, and coaching at Stoner Field, and was a scratch (or near scratch) golfer for decades. He deeply loved and took care of his family all his life, enjoyed gospel music, was a practicing Catholic, and was a mentor to so many of Huntsville’s men and women in many fields.
He is survived by his loving wife, Audrey; his son Chuck Jr.; and the pride of his life, his granddaughters, Prudence Grace and PeiLi Hope Brasher. Sadly, Chuck lost his beautiful daughter Debra Ann Brasher last year to a debilitating illness.
Chuck died Thursday, September 21, 2023. Huntsville is a better place because of his choices in life.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, September 25, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral will follow at the church at 10 a.m. with Father Michael MacMahon officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
