Charles Larry Kindt

Navy Chief Petty Officer (Ret) Charles Larry Kindt, 81, passed away September 30, 2021 at Winfield Senior Living Community.

He will be laid to rest at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery of Winfield, Kansas, in honor of Mr. Kindt’s request there will be no public services. Any memorials gifts may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.

Mr. Kindt was born on August 31, 1940 in Gardner, CO son of the late Harry and Rose (Rowe) Kindt.

A U.S. Navy retiree, Charles enlisted in the United States Navy in October of 1958 where he served for more than 21 years. His submarine fleet assignment included nuclear powered attack submarines USS Tullibee (SSN 597) Grotan, CT and USS Shark (SSN 591) La Maddalena Sardinia, Italy, and the fleet ballistic missile defense submarine USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600), aboard the “T.R.” he sailed from Mare Island, CA through the Panama Canal, along the eastern seaboard and then to Scotland. Among his surface fleet assignments were the submarine tenders USS Proteus (AS-19) in Guam, USS Sperry (AS-12) in San Diego, CA USS Hunley (AS-31) in Charleston, SC and the USS Dixon (AS-37). His tour on the Dixon was personally and historically important as it was during this tour Charles was advanced to Machinist Mate Petty Officer, additionally during his time onboard, the Dixon became one of the first Navy ships to have females begin serving at sea and also set the record for the fastest tender in the Navy at that time. Throughout his career he earned the Submarine Warfare insignia, or “Dolphins,” the SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (multiple awards) and other personal unit awards and commendations.

His shore duty assignments included various specialty schools in San Diego, CA and Keyport, WA.

His Pacific and Atlantic Fleet deployment took him from under the Arctic ice shelfs to duty stations throughout Europe and the Pacifica such as La Maddalena, Sardinia Italy, Guam and Holy Loch, Scotland and many ports-in-between. Charles held Scotland as his favorite duty station but never missed a chance to tell his children and grandchildren “been there” whenever any of his old stomping grounds were mentioned in TV or in movies, it was said both as a brag and a challenge to see the world.

While stationed in Washington State he met his wife, Janice, while playing cards with friends. The couple famously shared their first kiss after watching “Charlotte’s Web” at the theatre, mistakenly thinking the cartoon movie would be a suspenseful thriller based on the title. They were married in Wichita, KS at the Lorraine Ave. Mennonite Church on May 4, 1974 giving them 47 years together.

After his Navy retirement, Charles worked briefly as a courthouse security guard in California and later as a census taker for the state of Montana. He dedicated the majority of his time to being a stay-at-home dad, something his son, now also a Navy Chief is eternally grateful for.

He will be remembered by those who knew him as an engineer, astronomer, gardener, chef, artist, rock hound, and historian who could speak of ancient culture as if he had been there.

He is survived by his devoted wife Janice of Winfield, KS, their son Harry and his wife Bouchra and their daughters, Mackenzie, Katheryn and son Charles Harry Kindt of Sasebo, Japan; and his daughter Stephanie and her husband Richard Erickson of Washington State.

He is preceded in death by both his parents, parents-in-law Herschel and Mildred Klassen his brother Floyd and Jack, his sister Sylvia and his favorite uncle Coy.

Dementia is an ugly illness, difficult for the patient and the caregivers. I sincerely praise the WSLC staff for the special, loving care they gave to Charles. You’ve been a wonderful family to us. God bless you all. Janice Kindt.

To the Harry Hynes Hospice staff, I want to say a special big thank you for being with my parents during their difficult time, mom speaks so highly of you all, Sue the caregiver, Jessica the nurse, and David the Chaplain. You came supported, listened, encouraged, and prayed for and with us. Thank you all for your support and loving Christian care. Harry Kindt.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Larry Kindt, please visit our floral store.