Chick Dillen and Bill Ward had been friends for about 75 years.

“I had two relationships with him: as an employee at Ward Trucking and as a friend. He was an outstanding employee at Ward Trucking. Anything I asked him to do, he did it willingly and did it well. He was a real asset to the company,” said G. William Ward, retired chairman of the board at the company now known as Ward Transport and Logistics. “As an individual we did a lot of things together. The main thing I remember is when we would go sailing. We would charter a boat and go sailing in the British Virgin Isles.”

Charles R. “Chick” Dillen, 91, of Altoona, died Tuesday.

He worked for Ward Trucking for more than 50 years and was well-known for putting out the company newsletter.

“He was fun to be with. When we were at work, it was all business. When we were socializing, we didn’t pay attention to work, rank didn’t mean anything. He was an outstanding friend and employee. I can’t say enough about him,” G. William Ward said.

Ward’s son, Bill T. Ward, now president and CEO of the family business, got to know Dillen through his father.

“He always had a smile on his face and loved people. My wife (Judy) said if you go to an event, sit next to Chick and you are guaranteed to have a good time. He was fun to be with. He was very good to his family and the people he knew here,” Bill T. Ward said.

Warren A. Gingrich, founder of the Warren A. Gingrich Agency, became friends with Dillen when Gingrich moved to the area in 1954.

“We were great friends. We went on sailing trips together; we did lot of things. Chick was an all-around guy. He was a great athlete. He was game for anything. He liked to have fun. We had a lot of fun together. We used to play tennis every Monday night and then go have a beer,” Gingrich said.

Dillen was the father-in-law of former state Rep. Richard A. Geist.

“We were good friends. I can’t remember not knowing Chick. He was an unbelievable guy, a natural leader. He was a workaholic. He worked at Ward until he was 80,” Geist said.

Dillen was involved in countless church and civic organizations. He was a member of the Altoona Area School Board from 1965 to 1973. “He was president of the school board. He was a driving force in getting the fieldhouse built. They should name it after him,” Geist said.

Dillen was a 1950 graduate of Juniata College.

“He was a longtime loyal supporter of Juniata athletics and the arts,” said David Meadows, director of alumni relations.

Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Altoona First Church of the Brethren. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, Pastor Bill Pepper officiating.