Charles "Brick" Edward Casper

Charles Edward Casper was born on August 17th, 1920 three and a half miles north of Campo Colorado. He was the fourth of eight children born to Clarence and Genevieve (Heagney) Casper. When he was about three years old a neighbor nick-named him "Brick" because of his bright red hair. It was a nickname that would stick with him for the rest of his life.Except for a year spent living with his paternal Grandparents in Okeene, Oklahoma where he attended Catholic school, Brick spent his primary school years studying in a one room schoolhouse in Camp. In 1937, like many young men of the depression era, he joined the civilian conservation corps. In between construction projects he took up boxing. In 1940, Brick graduated from high school in Atchison, Kansas.After graduation Brick worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the army in July of 1942. He was sent to Europe with the 71st Infantry Division as a machine gun squad leader. He fought the Nazis in France and Germany until he was wounded in April of 1945. He was sent back to the U.S. and in October of 1945, he was honorably discharged. Along with the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and European Service Ribbons, some of the shrapnel remained lodged in his body as a reminder of his service in World War Two.After the war, Brick worked farming related jobs until retuning to public service in 1961, when he was appointed Postmaster of Campo, a post he held for 24 years, until retirement.When he wasn't working, Brick has a passion for the great outdoors. His hunting and fishing trips took him all over the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. and Canada, the Great Plains, the Gulf of Mexico and to the Davis Mountains of South Texas where he once bagged a record Aoudad Sheep. Having owned horses most of his life; Brick was also a fan of rodeo sports and enjoyed watching western movies and TV shows.Brick kept his military service close to heart by becoming a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Eventually he would serve as Commander of Post #4001 from 1986-2003 and District 6 Commander 1994-1995. As commander he was proud to lead the honor guard for military funerals of Baca County veterans.Since being an altar boy as a child, Brick's faith was also something that was very important to him. As an active member of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Springfield, he was always there to provide whatever help was needed. From being on the Parish council to being an usher, from teaching Catechism to mowing the lawn, there was just about nothing he hadn't done at one time or another for the Church. This tireless service led to him being selected to receive a special service medal from Diocese Bishop, Arthur Tafoya.The Church was where Brick met and befriended Lyn Negrete. They fell in love and were eventually married on November 21st, 1987. For the next 24 years they enjoyed travelling, country-western dancing, scratching lotto tickets, and watching their family grow.On December 22, 2011 Brick lost his battle with cancer, which he had been valiantly fighting for the last decade of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Jennie Casper, his sister Catherine, his brothers Paul, Jerald, John, Thomas, Roger, Robert, and his step-son David Negrete Jr. He is survived by his wife Lyn, step-daughter Cindy Callahan, step-daughter-in-law, Jill Negrete, step-son Kent Negrete, step-grandchildren, Eric Callahan, Amy, David, and Natch Negrete, step-granddaughter-in-law, Sarah Callahan, step-great-grandchildren, Mateo Negrete, Dominick and Brandon Callahan and many nephews, nieces and their extended families. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Baca County VFW Post #4001, PO Box 445, Springfield, CO 81073