Dr. Charles Fast

Dr. Charles Fast was born on October 20, 1924 in Glendale, California to Harold and Lucille Fast. He passed away on January 18, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. In 1945 he was united in marriage to Arlene Einolander at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in La Crescenta, California.

He is survived by his wife Arlene, sons Gregg (and wife Ruth), Glenn (and wife Patricia), and daughter Gaylinn Fast. Also surviving are grandsons Tim, Jake, Beau J. (and wife Sara), and granddaughters Tonya Fast and Grace Kalinosky. He has five great grandchildren: Lily, Jaiden, Rylee, and Grayson Fast and Owen Miller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Fast, and grandson Jefferey Fast.
Charles graduated from Glendale High in Glendale, California on 1943 and was immediately called into the service during World War II. He served as a bomber pilot in B-24's and B-17's. After the war he continued in the service and was certified in administration, airborne electronics, airfield perimeter defense, and as an intelligence officer. He then served a mobilization wing at Mather Air Force Base in California until his retirement in 1951 as an Air Force Captain.

After receiving his Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts from Chico State College in Chico, California he entered the doctoral program at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. His doctoral training included studies at the University of Washington Medical School (1961), Oregon State University (1962), University of Minnesota (1966), and the University of Missouri School of Medicine (1984). He served as Executive Secretary of the Retarded Children's Association for the state of Oregon as well as the Executive Secretary of the Tuberculosis Association during the years 1953-1964.

In 1964 he was called and asked if he could come to Kirksville, Missouri and serve as Associate Professor of Health Education at the Kirksville State Teacher's College (now Truman) and retired from there as Professor Emeritus in1986. During his tenure he was recruited by the People to People Program to serve as a Health Education delegate to the People's Republic of China in June and July of 1982. Twenty years of research was abstracted in English and in Chinese by associates of the Sen-Yat Sen University of Medical Science and Public Health in Bejing, China.

Among his citations were Who's Who of the West (1956-1964), Men of Achievement (1973), Community Leaders and Note Worthy Americans (1976-1977), Who's Who in American Education (1992-1994), and Who's Who in the World (1986-1997). He was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa.

The main purpose of his life was to serve God as well as help people enjoy good health through preventative medical means. He was a member of the First Assembly of God church in Kirksville, Missouri. He served twelve years as a board member of the Adair County Health Department and helped develop the program. He also served many years as a board member of the Christian Community Food Depot. He loved gardening and was a pillar of strength to his family. He willed his body to the A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) Department of Anatomy.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Assembly of God Church, South High Street, Kirksville, Missouri at 2:30 p.m. on January 29, 2017. Interment will be at the private cemetery on the Fast family farm near Novinger, Missouri. Honorary pallbearer will be Daniel Warren, Tom Farwell, Jack Maize, Irvin Flynn, Robert Wilson, Al Sack, and Ernest Lafferty.

In lieu of flowers ,if wished, memorials can be sent to the First Assembly of God Church, South High Street, Kirksville, Missouri for their extensive mission programs.