Charles W. "Pete" Abbott, 79, an Air Force Colonel who in retirement served for 10 years as director of sales at Westpark Hotel in Arlington, died of lymphoma October 17, 2001, at Goodwin House West in Falls Church.

Colonel Abbott retired from active duty in 1972 after a career that included service as a bomber pilot during World War II and duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He also flew B-47 aircraft for the Strategic Air Command and served on the faculties of the Air War, Air Command and Staff and Armed Forces Staff colleges. At the Pentagon, he was deputy director of plans for war plans.

His decorations included a Legion of Merit and a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Colonel Abbott, a longtime resident of Arlington, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, and attended McGill University. While serving in the Air Force, he graduated from Boston University and received a master's degree in business administration from George Washington University.

On his military retirement, he was director of a resort hotel in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, for two years before settling in the Washington area in 1974.

He was a member of the Arlington Committee of 100, the Arlington Host Lions Club and the vestry of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Arlington.

His marriage to Mary Craig Abbott ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife, Maria Abbott of Arlington; four children from his first marriage, Susan T. Abbott of Washington, Craig W. Abbott of Darien, Conn., Martha G. Abbott of Alexandria and Eleanor Abbott Tsurdinis of Westport, Conn.; two stepchildren, Clydette Powell of Arlington and William Powell of Virginia Beach; a brother; and four grandchildren.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2001 CHARLES W. ''PETE'' ABBOTT of Arlington, Va; beloved husband of Marie A. Abbott; devoted father of Susan P. Abbott, Craig W. Abbott, Martha G. Abbott, Eleanor Abbott Tsurdinis; step-father of Dr. Claudette L. Powell and Willam A. Powell; loving brother of Matthew Abbott; also survived by four grandchildren. Services on Wednesday, October 31, 2001, 11 a.m. at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 1132 N. Ivanhoe St., Arlington, VA with a reception to follow. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at 3 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in his name may be made to St. Michael Episcopal Church or the Arlington Host Lions Club, P.O. Box 145, Arlington, VA 22210.