Charles "Chuck" Duus

Life long Bitterroot resident Charles (Chuck) Duus passed away on Christmas Day at age 89.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dove Duus; daughter, Sherry Duus of Stevensville; son, Charles Jr. of Albuquerque, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During WWII, at age 17, Chuck joined the Army Air Force and flew as a B-17 tail-gunner in 13 missions over Nazi Germany. His plane was subsequently shot down and he survived the remainder of the war in German POW camps. As one of the few remaining former WWII POWs in Montana, he was frequently sought out for his recollections of the war by local newspaper and media reporters. Duus was a pilot and a pioneer in the early days of civil aviation in Montana. His account of those flying days and life in the early Bitterroot was published in his book, "Soaring With Eagles," which is still available in local bookstores and some museum shops. Chuck's interests and enterprises always centered on Montana and the land. Over the years, he had an active career in ranching, mining, and logging and made many friends and life-long acquaintances in those fields.