Charles (“Chuck”) Henry Chalfant III of Fayetteville, AR passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025 at the age of 65, at home with family nearby.
Chuck was born on July 31, 1959 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Dr. Charles Henry Chalfant Jr. and the late Jeanette Deckelman. From Little Rock, his family moved to Anthony, TX, then to Rogers, AR and finally to Booneville, AR, where he graduated from high school in 1977.
As a young child, he loved space and wanted to be an astronaut. Toward that goal, he earned a B.S. in Physics at Hendrix College. While there, he excelled as a standout swimmer and was a four year AIC swim champion. He broke and held four records for the swim team and earned NAIA All American two years. For these athletic achievements, he was inducted into Hendrix’s Hall of Honor in 2007.
He went on to the University of Arkansas to earn a Masters in Optical Physics. Chuck then moved to California, which he loved. While living there, he considered NASA, but took another path. For ten years, he worked for Lockheed Space Systems and Optivision R&D. He married Debbie Hicks of Booneville in 1990, and they welcomed their son Christopher in 1992. Chuck had fond memories of playing guitar with family friends in California in a casual band.
In 1996, he returned with his family to Arkansas. In 1998, he founded Space Photonics, and developed laser communications and fiber optic transceivers for outer space. The company worked with NASA to test their multiple patented technologies, and sent their fiber optic transceivers to outer space on satellites. In 2013, he received the Odyssey Medal from Hendrix College, which recognizes excellence in research, leadership, creativity, global awareness, and service to the world.
Chuck lived a full life. He was always curious and loved science. He had great fun teaching as a teaching assistant at a UofA class for teachers. He loved to travel, snow ski, play the guitar, go to air shows and rocket launches, and of course watch Star Trek. He loved children, as shown with his beloved son Christopher, adopted daughter Latasha, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was filled with love and was loved by many.
He is survived by his son Christopher (Amy) and their twin daughters, Catherine and Matilda; Latasha’s two children Jullian Rodrigez and Kingston Kirkland; his two sisters, Sharla Chalfant (Thompson) and Julie Chalfant Lacy (Ron); and his half-brother Matthew Chalfant.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Charles H. Chalfant and Jeanette Deckelman Chalfant. He is also preceded by his adopted daughter, LaTasha Kirkland.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please contact the Chalfant family for details.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
I am blessed to have known Chuck from those years in Booneville, AR. He was well loved by all of us who knew him, as were all his family. I did not know how much he accomplished later in life but I’m not surprised. He was an exceptional person. Deep, sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Chuck was just a great guy. We will miss him. Please let us know when the memorial will be held.
I had the joy of knowing Chuck when we both had our early stage companies office’s out in the original building of the UA Research Center. Chuck and I had our offices across the hallway from each other. Chuck’s daily encouragements and affirmations were so meaningful to me. Chuck was a gentle soul with a big heart. I was always amazed at his vision and intellect in optics. I remember celebrating with Chuck when he received his first government/military contract and grant. I am so sorry for the families loss. May peace abide in the midst of your sorrow.
I met Chuck while at Hendrix and we lived in the same dorm and were on the swim team. For someone who had never been on a swim team before, he was truly outstanding. He is the first of a core group of us that started as freshman on the team to pass and he will be dearly missed.
I haven’t seen Chuck since high school, in Booneville, but remember him as athletic, sweet, handsome, funny and oh so smart. I am not surprised by his many accomplishments! My deepest condolences to the family. I know he will be missed terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time and in the days to come.
Chuck was a good friend of mine through out our school years together. I was constantly trying to get a better grade than him in math! But I could not compete with him in physics and chemistry. I loved him and considered him as a dear friend as we went our on ways after graduation. I only saw him a few times over the years but admired him ambitions to do great things as he did. My heart is breaking and prayers for his family and many friends. Fly high my friend 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💙💙💙💙💙💙💙