Charles A. Stryker

Charles A. Stryker, 57, Topeka, died Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at his home.

He was born April 25, 1949 in Marysville, the son of Floyd and Mary Griswald Stryker. He graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1967, received a BS in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University in 1971 and a MS in the same field from Texas A&M University in 1974. He did additional graduate studies in Civil Engineering at K-State and MBA studies at the University of Kansas.

Charles came to Topeka in 1978. He served as Secretary/Treasurer and later as President of M.W. Watson, Inc., and later served as President of Anco Construction Company. He established CAS Construction, Inc. in 1985, and was currently serving as President. He was a licensed contractor in 19 states, was a Block-tested Master Mechanical and Master Plumber, as well as a licensed professional engineer in six states and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

His professional organizations include the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions, Design Build Institute of America, American Water Works Association, National Society of Professional Engineers, Kansas Society of Professional Engineers, Water Environment Federation, Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Kansas Contractor's Association, Builders Association Self Insured Fund, American Society of Civil Engineers, Kansas State University, College of Engineering Advisory Council, Kansas State University, College of Engineering 2002 Alumni Fellow Award, Sigma Tau, Construction Honorary, and Phi Kappa Phi, Texas A&M University. He was inducted into the KSU Engineering Hall of Fame in 2004, and was named an honorary member of the Chi Epsilon Engineering Chapter at KSU in 2004.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving on the Property Board, Task Forces, and chaired the Building Committee in 2001-2002. He currently was serving on the Board of Ministries as Administration Coordinator. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, and was on the Board of the Jayhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts. He served as President of the Lakeview Hunting & Fishing Association and Topeka Flyers, Inc. He was also a member of Rotary International, the Kansas Pilots Association, and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association.

Charles married Karen Patton on Nov. 9, 1984 in Topeka. She survives at the home.

Other survivors include their children, Amy Knudtson, Travis Stryker, Elizabeth Stryker, and Justin Stryker, all of Topeka; his mother, Mary Stryker, Topeka; two brothers, Ron Stryker, Topeka, and Ross Stryker, Lebanon, MO; and one granddaughter, Allison Knudtson.

His father preceded him in death in 1986.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday at First Baptist Church. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery.

Charles will lie in state after 9:00 am Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles A. Stryker Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502, or to First Baptist Church, 3033 SW MacVicar, Topeka, KS 66611.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.