Charles “Yamaha Charlie” Butler, the man credited with bringing the first Yamaha into the United States, died on Thursday, December 8. He was 80 years old and had cancer. Butler, of Columbus, Georgia, was an avid race fan and amateur photographer, often attending AMA Nationals at Road Atlanta and Daytona and WERA races at Road Atlanta before his outings were limited by health problems. His son, former racer Rick Butler, has worked as a cornerworker and race official with WERA and AMA Pro Racing and is a prominent poster on www.wera.com as “Yamaha Rick.” Charlie Butler is survived by his wife of 50 years, Reiko as well as by Rick and another son, Michael. Besides his involvement with motorcycling, Yamaha Charlie had a 28-year career in the U.S. Army, serving in World War II, the Korean War and in Vietnam. His exploits during the Battle of the Bulge with the 82nd Airborne were mentioned in a book on World War II. Butler earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star during his Army service. R.I.P., Yamaha Charlie. A link to a Yamaha website entry mentioning Yamaha Charlie, including a photo showing him posing with son Michael on that first Yamaha imported into the U.S., follows: ~http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/epic_mcy/1957_yd-1_small.aspx~