Charles William Sulzbach, retired WSU research scientist, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2014 at his Pullman home with family by his side. He was 88. Interment and services with military honors will be held at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Charles was born to Charles and Laura (Zurcher) on August 16, 1925 in Alliance, Nebraska. The second of ten boys, he grew up on the family cattle ranch and for a time thought he might follow in his father's "farming" footsteps. Charles graduated from high school in Alliance, then enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight for his country during World War II, choosing to serve as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" in England , Austria, Germany, and France. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he returned home to Nebraska and went to work at a large cattle ranch. Two years later, Charles met Doris Elaine Nye at a community dance and the couple married June 18, 1950 in Alliance. After son Carl and daughter Tracy were born, Charles enrolled at Chadron State, being the first in his family to attend college. Despite working full time to care for his young family, Charles graduated with honors in three years with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. In 1960 the family moved to Pullman, Washington where Charles began his doctoral coursework and research in the Plant Pathology Department at WSU. His work in air pollution impact on plants, erosion control and seed storage for the USDA generated important breakthroughs in these fields for many years until he retired in 1988. Charles was proud of his farm heritage and every year the family returned to Nebraska for vacation. He loved to explore the back roads, looking for new and different things to see and do. He was an active member in the Methodist Church for many years and cared for the building and landscape for more than 50 years. He also spent many hours volunteering at the K-House on campus. He loved gardening and working in the yard, caring for his vegetables and trees. The family enjoyed camping and made several trips to the Oregon Coast and its beautiful beaches. Charles is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris, at their home; two children, Tracy (Jon) Dahlenburg of Denver, CO. and Carl (Fusun) Sulzbach of Reston, VA; three grandchildren, Joshua, Ryan and Kate and great-grandson, Bryce as well as 3 brothers, Fred and Harold both in South Dakota and Norman in Riverton, WY. He was preceded in death by 6 brothers.