Who was Anita Bryant’s husband Charlie Hobson Dry? What we know about the NASA Test Astronaut

Anita Bryant, known for her singing and anti-LGBTQ rights activism, passed away in December 2024. Bryant’s passing was announced by her family in an obituary on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

In an unfortunate coincidence, Anita Bryant’s husband, Charlie Hobson Dry, also died in 2024, eight months before her death. Charlie, an Oklahoma native, was a NASA Test Astronaut. Having an interest in aeronautics at an early age, Dry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Oklahoma.

Charlie Hobson Dry worked at NOTS, NAA, and NASA

Charlie worked at NASA as a Test Astronaut (Image via Yasin Baturhan Ergin/Anadolu/Getty Images)

Besides graduating from the University of Oklahoma, he also pursued certified courses at the University of Houston and UCLA. On the professional front, Dry commenced his career at China Lake Naval Ordnance Test Range (NOTS). Initially, Charlie’s work was dedicated to designing “test concepts and flight analysis systems, while later, he got promoted to Flight Test Engineer.

Charlie worked as a NOTS Flight Test Engineer and a Senior Research Engineer at North American Aviation (NAA) during his career. From analyzing guidance data for nuclear missiles and B-52 aircraft to working as a Chief Liaison between NAA and the US Air Force, Dry caught the eye of NASA. After working as a Senior Scientific Analyst, Charlie became a Test Astronaut.

His primary task as a NASA Test crewman was to conduct “crucial tests on spacesuits and hardware.” Ultimately, his work also contributed to the monumental success of NASA’s space missions. In the later years, Charlie picked up writing while also serving as a consultant and a public speaker. Besides his career in aviation and space, Dry was also known for his marriage to Anita Bryant.

The couple was married for 34 years before Dry passed away in April 2024.

Anita Bryant and Charlie Hobson Dry were married for 34 years

Expand Tweet

Following Anita Byrant’s split from her first husband, Bob Green, she stayed single for 10 years. In 1990, Bryant married Charlie Hobson Dry, another Oklahoma native. Both had first met during their childhood in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Anita Bryant and Charlie Hobson Dry did not share any kids but had raised children from their previous relationships.

Bryant is survived by her four children – two daughters and two sons – Bobby, Billy, Gloria, and Barbara, alongside seven grandchildren. At the same time, she was also a stepmother to Charlie’s two daughters, Stacy and Charlee Shae. Her first marriage with Miami DJ, Bob Green, lasted 20 years, between 1960 and 1980.

Anita Bryant once had a promising career in the Entertainment industry. She was 1958’s Miss Oklahoma, followed by a flourishing singing career. However, in the late 1970s, Bryant’s focus on Christian activism and her anti-gay stance marked her downfall. In the twilight years of her career, Bryant was ridiculed due to her activism.

Although Bryant did try to revive her career later, she had to file bankruptcy twice (in 1997 and 2001) due to failed business ventures.