- By Peggy Perry -
Snow, snow, snow! Mary Ellen had her fill of it, growing up near Detroit, Michigan. On visiting southern California as a youngster, she announced to her mother that this is where she intended to live (no snow!), and, a few years later, she headed for a job with Beckman Instruments in Pasadena. There, one autumn weekend, she was invited to a swimming pool party – which she attended with the provision that transportation home would be provided.
Chuck Kircher had been the Navy for twelve years, and was a 1st Class Petty Officer with a combat camera group in San Diego. He visited friends in Pasadena on weekends, and one October afternoon was invited to help inaugurate a buddy’s new swimming pool. He relates being quite taken with a charming guest. Because the host had too much of a good time at his own party, Chuck offered to drive this guest home. Did they hit it off? Chuck pursued her not only that day but the next weekend as well. By the third weekend they were planning to be married, as soon as Chuck returned from an overseas assignment which would last six months. This year, the Kirchers celebrated the fifty-fifth anniversary of the wedding, with took place June 26, 1954.
Long before their marriage, Chuck had enlisted and was commissioned in 1944 as a naval aviator. After a crash on landing, he was assigned as a permanent ground officer – not what he had in mind. So he resigned his commission and reenlisted as an airman and became involved in photography. His military history from that point on is a series of fascinating assignments. In July of 1950 a reserve commander took a small group, including photographer Chuck, to Korea to tell that country’s story. Here Chuck was introduced to motion pictures. He covered the invasion at Inchon, photographed the Seabees, and documented Navy doctors and corpsmen providing services to the 7th Marines.
After their marriage, Mary Ellen and Chuck’s life was the military life. After a brief time in Pacific Beach, CA, they were transferred to D.C., where Chuck was assigned to a photo lab, and photographed President Eisenhower’s second inauguration. The first two Kircher babies were born in Bethesda, MD, the third in San Diego and the fourth in Pensacola, FL, where Chuck was involved in the Navy’s motion picture school. Later, they were stationed in Sanford, FL when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. When the Vietnam conflict began, Chuck had reached retirement eligibility. He was offered a new position aboard an aircraft carrier, but Mary Ellen said, "No way!" Life in the military was over.
Back to the snow they went – to Lansing, MI, where Chuck opened a photo lab. After 26 inches of snow in one 24 hour period, they declared, "Let’s go home – back to California." While living in the San Fernando Valley, Mary Ellen and a friend explored Thousand Oaks and were impressed by the large, affordable homes. Both families bought in 1971; the Kirchers next move, 37 years later, was to University Village. Snow, snow, snow. For twenty-five years, the family accumulated an amazing collection of Snow Village pieces – yes, the display that now graces our Mt. Clef Terrace. What an enjoyable gift you have given – and how very much we appreciate your generosity, Mary Ellen and Chuck, and you as wonderful Noteworthy Neighbors.