Charles "Chuck" Brian Sterling, a devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away on August 3, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was his 78th birthday. Born on August 3, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, Chuck lived a life rich in accomplishments, a passion for technology, and love for his family.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Chuck served with a Mobile Construction Battalion in the U.S. Navy Seabees where he completed one tour of duty working in radio communications. Later, he devoted almost 24 years to his first career job at National Cash Register (NCR). It's this job he says accidentally made him a computer expert, allowing him to secure a position at NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) where he eventually became the Network Security Expert for the site. During this time, he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science, followed by an MBA three years later, as a way to encourage his three daughters to pursue higher education. Chuck's era at WSTF spanned 26 years, a career honored by the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award earned for his outstanding contributions to flight safety and mission success.

In his younger years Chuck excelled at individual sports like track, racquetball, and motorcycle racing; and though his enthusiasm for solving   technical problems also started young, it continued throughout life and into his retirement where he was often found at home tinkering with computers and 3-D printers, or in the field with his telescopes as an active imaging and outreach member of the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces (ASLC)—a testament to his self-described identity as a "technical geek." His hobbies would result in others remembering him being behind the lens of a camera instead of in front of it, either starting or finishing another science fiction novel, or with the glow of a computer screen reflected in his eye glasses. His quiet presence and profound knowledge will be deeply missed.

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Maria Elena Sterling of Las Cruces; his daughters Michelle M. Sterling-Rodriguez and husband Michael of Las Cruces, NM and Jennifer L. Castro and husband Josiah of Sulphur Springs, TX; and his grandsons Dorian M. Castro and Atticus J. Castro of Sulphur Springs, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles A. and Marjorie Sterling, his daughter Melissa A. Sterling, his granddaughter Daisha R. Smith, and several beloved pet dogs and cats who never turned down his offers for ear scratches and head pats. Chuck will be remembered for his legacy of dedication, his innovative mind, and the love and loyalty he shared with friends and family.

A memorial will take place on Monday September 23, 2024 at 10AM at Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces NM 88005. Inurnment will follow with Military Honors at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 5140 W Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88007.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapel.com