Charles "Dick" Dippel died on June 23 at his home in Saratoga. He was 79.

Dippel was born on Jan. 6, 1924, in Indianapolis, Ind., to George and Marie Dippel. At age 18 he joined the U.S. Navy and fought in World War II. After an honorable discharge in 1946, Dippel studied mechanical engineering at Loyola Marymount University and USC.

From 1962 until his retirement in 1986, Dippel worked for Westinghouse Electric Company, where he won several awards for his work on missile programs.

In his retirement, Dippel was an active golfer and model airplane builder, as well as a member of SIRs (Sons In Retirement), the Los Gatos Elks Lodge and Sacred Heart Church.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rose Marie Dippel of Saratoga, sons Steve Dippel of Lake Forest, Calif., Jim Dippel of Paradise, Calif., and Wayne Dippel of San Jose, daughters Susan Tuttle of San Jose and Elissa Davis of Bend, Ore., sister Mary Galeski of Calgary, Canada, and 13 grandchildren.

Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be sent to Catholic Charities.