Charles F Schug

Charles F. Schug, 83, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2026, at his home in Tensed, Idaho.

He was born to John and Marie (Risch) Schug on July 21, 1943, at home on the family farm in Johnson Township (Athens), Wisconsin, the seventh of twelve children.

Charles joined the Air Force in 1961 and served honorably as crew chief on America's first jet bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. As a member of the Strategic Air Command alert crew, his plane — already loaded with nuclear bombs — could be airborne within minutes of the alert siren sounding. He traveled the world with his unit, serving faithfully and honorably until February 1966. While in the Air Force, he completed night school and earned his high school diploma in Derby, Kansas.

Charles spent much of his life in Wisconsin, where he was born and raised, but after falling in love with the mountains while stationed at Mountain Home AFB, he longed to bring his family to Idaho. In 1987, he was finally able to move his family to Sanders, Idaho, settling into the old Sanders Store, where he lived until his death. He worked for Nelson Farms as a mechanic and all-around farmhand until his retirement.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Schug; his brothers Anthony V. Schug and David A. Schug; and his sisters Anna C. Schug, Angie Robinson, and Margie Heil.

He is survived by his brothers Raymond (Betty) Schug, Joseph (Carol) Schug, Norbert (Evelyn) Schug, and Albert (Betty, deceased) Schug; and his sisters Gertie (Bud, deceased) Guralski and Judy (Jim, deceased) Halik.

He is also survived by his children: Teresa (Jeff) Quimby, Paula (Tim) Plummer, Maria (Bob) Spring, Daniel (Candace) Schug, Andrew (Lonya) Schug, Martha (Randy) Judson, Patricia Schug-Clark, and Matthew (Monica) Schug — along with 40 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 2 more great-grandchildren on the way, due in October and November of 2026.

Our Dad was a man of great faith who loved deeply and sacrificed greatly. He especially loved his dog, Sam, who was always by his side. He was humble and hardworking, and he led by example. He never knew a stranger and would give the shirt off his back. He was a comedian at heart who loved to play pranks, and he could fix almost anything — from B-52 bombers to cars to any piece of farm equipment. He loved to collect stamps, fish, and hunt, and he was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. His advice, his humor, his smile, and his laughter are what we will miss most.

A rosary will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church 725 Spruce Street, Potlatch, ID 83855 on August 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Potlatch on August 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with burial at Potlatch Cemetery immediately after. A reception will be held in St. Mary's Hall following the burial.

Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow, Idaho, is caring for the family.