Charles “Charlie ” Russell Zink

April 15, 1932 – August 19, 2017

Charles Russell Zink of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died on August 19, 2017, at the age of 85, but his larger-than-life persona and trademark stubbornness will not be forgotten.

He was born on April 15, 1932, in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest son of the late Maxwell Rapp and Rhoda Rapp.

Affectionately known as Charlie by his family and friends, he was a computer programmer and 32-year Veteran of the United States Air Force. Survived by his wife Kum Ok Zink, to whom he was married to for 43 years.

Charlie had many loves; he loved his wife, Teresa, who preceded him in death in 1974. Kum Ok Zink, was his second love, who has been loyally by his side for 43 years.  He also dearly loved his children and fiercely loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Famously opinionated and sarcastic, Charlie handed these qualities down to all his children:  Steven Zink of Springfield, Nebraska, Joseph Zink of Omaha, Nebraska, Daniel Zink of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kathleen Norris of Newport News, Virginia, Kimmy Eller of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Michael Zink of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He took extreme pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, smoking his pipe and cigars, his rocking chair, watching the old school People’s Court, Matlock, and M*A*S*H, taking afternoon naps in his recliner, and sharing Twinkies and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with his grandkids.

Charlie was world-renowned for snarky remarks, not holding back his opinion, and a knack for telling it like it is. He was generous to a fault, a pussy cat at heart, and yet he sugar-coated absolutely nothing. To quote Winston Churchill: “He was a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

While a necessity in his youth growing up during the Depression, this passion for being self-sufficient was carried throughout his whole life. This Depression baby was ahead of his time with “being green,” as evidence of the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” containers stacked neatly in his kitchen cupboard or the refrigerator filled with week old left-overs because “just can’t waste food”. The biggest challenge was finding the butter in his refrigerator with 13 containers of leftovers that all looked the same.

Also known as the Dog Whisperer, he communicated with every dog and their owner that passed by the garage, as he always had a pocket full of dog biscuits.

What he lacked in stature, he compensated with an over-abundance of charisma, a quick wit and feistiness. Charlie took fashion advice from no one. With his trademark white t-shirts and strategically coiffed comb-over (while it lasted), and suspenders, his comfort far outweighed any interest in the latest fashion trends.  You are missed and will be forever, Charlie/Chuck/Pops/PaPa/PopPop.

He will rest at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.

Tremendous heartfelt thanks go to the wonderful staff of Sentara Norfolk Neuro-ICU Trauma Unit.

Cremation Society of Virginia is assisting the family.