Charles Droz, 52, was vice president of software development for EM Solutions, a professional services firm in Arlington, Virginia, that specializes in information technology, systems engineering and enterprise management software solutions. Droz was on American Airlines Flight 77 on a business trip to Los Angeles when the plane crashed into the Pentagon.
Prior to joining EM Solutions in 1993, Droz spent 20 years in the Navy, where he pursued development of high- capacity signal processors, multiprocessor application hardware and innovative signal-processing algorithms.
“He was one of a kind,” said Robert Brown, vice president of administration for EM Solutions. “It’s going to be difficult to find someone with his expertise. He’s almost irreplaceable.”
A native of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Droz was a movie buff who enjoyed playing the stock market. He held a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Grove City College in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He was given a full military burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Droz is survived by his wife, Cindy; a daughter, Shannon, a senior at the University of Virginia, and by his mother and sister.
NOTE: Commander Droz was laid to rest in Section 64 of Arlington National Cemetery, in the shadow of the Pentagon.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard