Charles L. Cerny

Charles Lawrence Aloysius Cerny, age 61 of Dayton, Ohio, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025, at University of Cincinnati Medical Center after a short illness. He was born July 13, 1964 in Utica, New York the son of the late Lawrence and Elaine Cerny. Charles is survived by his loving and beloved wife of 33 years, Barbara Cerny; children, Gemma Sonders (Oksana) and Audra; sisters Louise Alfredson and Mary Cerny; nephews Peter and Robert Alfredson; as well as numerous in-laws, colleagues and friends.

Charles graduated from Notre Dame High School in Utica. He continued his education at Utica College of Syracuse University/Syracuse University receiving his bachelor's in Physics. He garnered a master’s in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA where he met his wife, Barb. He then went to the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL for his PhD in Electrical Engineering. Charles spent the next 33 years at the Air Force Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton doing space-based radar research for the Air Force and Department of Defense. He was a rocket scientist.

Charles was a member of both Christ Episcopal Church (CEC) and Holy Angels Catholic Church of Dayton. He was the president of the American Czechoslovakian Club (ACC) of Dayton, and the past chairman of the local chapter of the International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He sang bass in the CEC Choir, led the Beseda folk dance group for the ACC, took ballroom dance lessons for over three decades, and was very involved in United Marriage Encounter. Charles loved all kinds of music and worked in a radio station while in graduate school, building an extensive library of vinyl collections. He traveled a lot with his family around Europe while growing up and shared that love while raising his daughters. He spent the family vacation every summer in the Bahamas, a real favorite destination.

Charles’ memorial service will be at Christ Episcopal Church, 20 W 1st St, Dayton, on October 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the ACC, 922 Valley Street. Interment will be a private family affair.

Memorial contributions may be made to IEEE foundation to support those who study science and engineering. Please click here to donate.