Departures - 2008
We publish departures based on the year listed in the obituary. If no year is listed then we publish them when they are received.
Russell A. Ver Nooy, age 88, of Pocasset, MA and Port Orange, FL, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 at JML Care Center in Falmouth, MA. He was the husband of Ann M. (Szalay) Ver Nooy. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, he attended Rutgers University. He served in the U. S. Air Force as a Pilot during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He flew with the 20th Air Force in Guam, the 53rd Weather Squadron Hurricane Hunters, and the 551st AEW & Con group at Otis, and retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1970. He flew for regional airlines, as a private corporate pilot and was also a flight instructor and FAA Designated Examiner. He was a long-time member of the Quiet Birdmen, HYA. Besides his wife he leaves one son, Russell G. Ver Nooy and his wife, Pat of Plymouth; two daughters, Suzanne M. Robbins and her husband, Russell of E. Falmouth and Nancy Dalton and her husband, James of Portland, OR; he also leaves six beloved grandchildren and four beloved great-grandchildren. Burial at the V.A. National Cemetery of Massachusetts in Bourne.
Black, Rodger Allen, Senior Master Sergeant Retired USAF, age 68, of Midwest City, OK passed away on Monday, November 17, 2008. Son of Louis T. and Mary Jane (Wills) Parker in Huntington, West Virginia, he was born August 4, 1940. He was a meteorologist for the U.S. Government retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1984 and retired from Civil Service at Tinker AFB in 2004, completing 43 years of service. Rodger was a member of the V.F.W., Choctaw Lions Club and nominated "Civilian of the Year" several times and was awarded the "Civilian of the Year" award in years 1997 and 2002 for Tinker AFB. "Mr. Black", as he was known at Tinker, was living proof that dedication, service, and commitment to mission and family, were more than just words. His devotion to his family and the duty he felt to serve his country were not just philosophies, they were character traits. While he was an avid sports fan, especially for his favorite teams, the OU Sooners and the Ohio State Buckeyes he also enjoyed playing bingo and growing tomatoes for his special recipe of hot sauce. He not only loved to read a great mystery novel, he enjoyed sharing his books with numerous family members. But, his passion was always the science of meteorology. It gave him great pleasure to educate and inform others about the dynamics of weather and how it affected so many lives. Even after his retirement, he was always available for discussion and to answer questions about the weather. If you ever heard a severe weather alarm during his time of service, there was a very good chance that it was "Mr. Black" who was sounding that alarm. His steadfast allegiance to the support of his family and his keen awareness to his responsibilities as a meteorologist is a great loss. To say that he will be enormously missed by all who had the good fortune to know him would be like saying that an F5 tornado is just a light breeze. He is survived by one son, David A. Black of Albuquerque, NM two daughters: Donna Thompson and husband Ralph Anthony of ASG Kuwait, and Rhonda Stilwell and husband Bobby of Euless, TX seven grandchildren: Melissa, Amanda, Michael, Adam, Jacob, Linda, and Andrew also four great-grandchildren: Joshua, Destiny, Connor, and Kayleigh one sister, Deborah Swain and husband Merle nephews, Brian and Hugh, nieces, Leslie, Jemmie, and Catie brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Aletha Tarkington brother-in-law Mike Freeman and many other Tinker family members and friends. He joins in heaven his most beloved wife, Linda R. Black, his parents and one sister, LuEllen Parker. A Graveside funeral service was held on November 20, 2008 at Arlington Memory Gardens of Midwest City, OK
Carl F. Foster, Lt Col USAF (Ret.), age 87, of Papillion, Nebraska, died on October 30,2008. He was born May 25, 1921, in Bell City, Mo., the son of Jesse W. and Jesse Mae Wheeler Foster. He was preceeded in death by mother, father and 3 brothers. Survived by brother Kenneth Foster, Bell City, MO; sister in law - Nedra Foster, Tulsa, OK; nephews John & Lowell Foster & their families, Kansas City, KS, Clifton Foster, San Francisco, CA; niece Carol Foster, Albuquerque, NM; best friend Rosemary (Pat) Herron, Bellevue. He served as a navigator in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and eventually became a weather officer, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. As a young man, he was invited to try out as a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns. Col Ken German recalls -- "I first met Carl at Moses Lake AFB. We were stationed together at Torrejon forecast Center and we followed up going to advanced meteorological training at the University of Washington. Carl then spent several years in Special Projects at the AF Global Weather Central. Carl was a good friend and a great person to work with." Visitation occurred on November 2nd at the Bellevue NE Memorial Chapel. Visitation will also occur from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, MO. Services will immediately follow, with the Rev. Andy Lambed officiating. Interment will be with full military graveside rites at Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Advance. Memorials to the American Heart Association.
Hal Robert (Montie) Montague, Colonel USAF (Ret.), age 87, passed peacefully away on Oct. 18, 2008, in Tallahassee, Fla. Montie and his wife JoAnn moved to Tallahassee in August 2008 to be near family. They lived in Sandestin, Fla. from 1996 up until their move to Tallahassee. He retired as a colonel from the U.S. Air Force in 1973. He received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees (1961) in meteorology from Florida State University. Montie is survived by his wife of 66 years, JoAnn of Tallahassee; daughter, Judee Pouncey of Tallahassee; daughter, Susan Youngblood of LaGrande, Ore.; grandchildren, Alexis Gaston (husband Mel) of Tallahassee, Charles Cogswell of Sarasota, Beth Youngblood of Champaign, Ill., and Bern Youngblood of Northfield, Minn.; and great-grandsons, Carlos Gaston of Tallahassee and Reese Cogswell of Sarasota. Member Gene Pfeffer relates that -- "Montie was my first commander when I reported for duty at Patrick AFB in 1965 after basic met. He also was the one who retired me at Scott AFB in 1994. We became close friends over the years and he was a key influence on me as I moved along my AF career. He was professional and dedicated while on duty, a heck a partier when not, and a patriot always. Montie was a WWII vet who entered the Army in 1940 as a private, rose through the enlisted ranks, and held just about all of them. He was commissioned in 1943 as an armaments officer and got his wings in 1944, serving in the Pacific as a troop/cargo carrier pilot through the end of the war. He joined the weather business in 1948 and was a proud alumni of Florida State Univ. He served in the Korean War and in Viet Nam. After his tour at Patrick AFB, he was the Air Weather Service IG, and then became the MAC Director of Administration before retiring from the USAF in 1973. Over a couple of Martinis I was able to get Montie to talk about some of his WW II experiences including his flying cargo missions for on-the-deck cargo drops for the Marines fighting on Iwo Jima. For a time Montie was in the same squadron as famous actor (and WWII hero) Jimmie Stewart. I also learned during one of these lubricated chats that he'd been checked out in 24 different airplanes over the course of his flying career including the C-46, C-47, B-29, C-124, B-26, C-130, SA-1, B-50, B-25, KC-135, and even the CG-4A WWII glider. After retiring from the Air Force, Montie and wife JoAnn lived for a time in Lebanon, IL outside Scott AFB, moved to Louisville, KY (where we had some great Kentucky Derby parties). He taught and was Director of Admissions for McKendree College, and moved to Louisville to open their remote campus there. He also served as the Community Relations Director of Webster University from 1986 to 1996. He retired to Sandestin, Fla. in 1996." In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 102, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Memorial services will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. at The Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach, 3524 Highway 98 West, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.A guestbook is available online at http://www.legacy.com/nwfdailynews/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=119128630
Dale J. Flinders, Colonel USAF (Ret.) passed away Friday, September 19, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas. Dale was born on October 4, 1917 in Cherokee County, Iowa to Lawrence G. and Laura Flinders and educated in Iowa, unknowingly 60 miles from his beloved future wife Nadine Lindquist. Dale showed great determination throughout his full life. Having sung with Nadine at the high school state music contest, he remembered her again when he saw her from a street car at Morningside College where they both were students. They shared one date and then were separated by fate, Nadine to graduate school and Dale to teach high school science in Burma. Driven out by the Japanese in '42, Col. Flinders worked his way back to NYC and their paths criss-crossed for years. Soon Dale was drafted and sent to MIT to major in meteorology and finally in '43 they were married and he and Nadine moved to Boston and began singing throughout their lives together! At his request, Dale was reassigned to Burma in '44 with the British Infantry under General Festing, and Nadine returned to Texas to continue her music teaching at what is now the University of North Texas. It would be 3 years before they met again after the war, in Japan, where Dale was newly assigned. During the next two years, Col. Flinders served in various positions including Commander of the 1st Mobile Weather Unit attached to the 36th Indian Infantry in Burma; Weather Detachment Commander, Lunghwa Airfield, Shanghai; Liaison Officer to Burma Meteorology Dept., Rangoon; Commander India-Burma-Thailand area of the 10th Weather Region; Weather Detachment Commander, Peking, China. From '47-'48, Col. Flinders was Operations Officer, 20th Weather Squadron, Nagoya, Japan. Dale's career took off in March 1948 as Academic Instructor with the Department of Weather Training, moved to Washington, DC as Special Assistant and later as Deputy Director of Climatology in November 1952, and then on to Morocco as the Deputy Commander of the 29th Weather Squadron in August 1955. In September 1958, Dale assumed command of Detachment 3, 3rd Weather Wing at Vandenberg AFB, CA and was also Staff Meteorologist to 659th Aerospace Test Wing. His role as Staff Meteorologist continued in October 1965 at the AF Satellite Control Facility at Sunnyvale, California, until August 1966 when he assumed command of the USAF Environmental Tech Application Center in Washington, DC. In July 1968, Dale was selected as Commander of AF Cambridge Research Labs, L.G. Hanscom Field, Massachusetts. His career culminated in July 1971 as Director of Aerospace Sciences, Air Weather Service at Scott AFB, Ill. Dale's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars. He also held the Master Missileman Badge. He was a member of the American Meteorological Society, and Sigma Pi Sigma, Physics Honorary Society. Dale is proceeded in death by his older brother, Horace Flinders. Dale is survived by his beloved wife, Nadine of 65 years and by sons, Val Eric and wife, Toni of Kodiak, Alaska, and Bradley Terence, and his wife, Nancy of Bulverde, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren: Kacie and John Sandoval, Kyle and Meagan Flinders, Monica Flinders, Shanna and Brian Flaten, Alexandria and Kyle Alexander, and great grandson, Louis Alexander. Col. Flinders also leaves sisters, Betty Hughes and Norma Alexander, all of Iowa, and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to your favorite charity or to Freedom House Research Fund. Please make check payable to Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation of AFVCF. A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, Sep. 25, 2008 and burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Robert Michael Simpson (1942-2008), 66 died on Monday, September 15, 2008 at his home in Grayson, Kentucky. He served in the Air Weather Service after graduating from Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland, KY. He was a Veteran of Vietnam. He was a member of the AWA, American Legion and VFW, a Cub Scout leader for many years and a member of the Baptist faith. Robert worked 32 years as a meteorological technician for the National Weather Service, retired from the Charleston, SC weather forecast office in 1999 and received many awards for his outstanding service. After retirement he moved back to his roots in the mountains of eastern KY. He is survived by his wife Barbara Walker Simpson; a daughter, Mary Ann Lewis; Grayson; a granddaughter, Megan Dawn Lewis; and a great-grandson, Ryland Scott Pfau all of Grayson. He is also survived by two brothers and three uncles. Funeral was held in Grayson and Interment was in Cribbs Hill Cemetery with military honors.
Phyllis J. Dalton, 77, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Boise, Idaho passed away in Boise, Idaho at home on Sept. 14, 2008 after a sudden illness. She was born to Albert and Caroline Hund on Jan. 20, 1931 in Vista, Calif. Phyllis and her husband, Leonard, were married on November 23, 1950 at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. Her husband, Leonard M. Dalton, CMSgt (Ret.) passed away on Jan. 12, 2007. Phyllis raised four children while traveling with Leonard during his service in the United States Air Force for 20 years. After Leonard's retirement in 1968, Phyllis and Leonard moved to Pingree, Idaho where they farmed and raised cattle. Phyllis was always busy on the farm, whether it was baling hay in the early morning hours or preparing a meal to take out to the fields. She always provided a loving home for all of her family and still found time to meet with her friends for their weekly bowling outing. Phyllis enjoyed the friendship of many while lunching with her Ham radio friends, playing Bunko with her girl friends and attending activities at the Senior Citizens Center in Lake Havasu City. She was an active member of the Our Lady of Lake Catholic Church, the Red Hats Society and welcomed new residents to Lake Hasavu City as a Welcome Wagon Hostess. Her hobbies include making quilts, oil painting, rock hounding in the desert and gardening. Her home was always full of beautiful plants and flowers. She is survived by four children, Gary Dalton (Louise), Linda Albi (Todd), Don Dalton (Linda), and Chere Parker (Cody); one sister, Dorothy Frei; two brothers, David and Robert Hund. She is blessed with 10 grandchildren, Julie, Jenelle, Dawn Marie and John Dalton, Sarah, Maiah, Keegan, and Colin Albi and Ian and Isaac Parker; and one great-grandchild, Taylor David. Phyllis will always be remembered as a loving and forever giving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. Graveside inurnment services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. Memorial contributions may be made to your local Hospice organization. Services are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be submitted online at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.
James H Greenewald (Sgt) passed away in September 2008.
Kauper, Erwin Karl, Lt Col (Ret.), born in Burgkunstadt, Germany on March 25, 1921 to Ursula Rose and George Kauper, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2008 in Covina, CA. Erwin emigrated to the US before the age of 3, and lived in the Los Angeles area ever since. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, training as a meteorologist at the University of Washington and UCLA. He remained in the Reserves after WWII for many years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the time he retired. He cultivated his experience as a weather officer and into a lifelong career and avocation in meteorology. His pioneering work during the 1950s with the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District identified the internal combustion engine as a significant cause of pollution and laid the cornerstone for the air quality control measures that ultimately evolved. Erwin became a Certified Consulting Meteorologist and a registered Professional Engineer, and eventually founded Metro Monitoring Services, which provided weather observation services to the federal government. With the acquisition of Allied Weather Consultants in 1984, he provided forecasting and climatology services to the movie and television industry. Ever the meteorologist, Erwin entered and won the grand prize of $50,000 in the 2001 Aquila forecasting competition at the age of 81. The award, presented by one of the largest energy wholesaling and risk management companies in North America, was for making the most accurate probabilistic temperature forecasts for 13 US cities. Along with his meteorology, Erwin loved everything about nature and every back road he could find. His spirit of adventure was unquenchable. In the last few years, his travel highlights included a trip down the coast of Mexico to experience up-close and personal encounters with whales and their babies; a visit to Ellis Island in NY City where he found his own name and those of his parents on a ship manifest; and a visit to his beloved relatives in Germany. Erwin was preceded in death by his first wife of 61 years, Flora, son Russell, and sister Betty. He leaves his wife Doris, sons Ross and Martin, daughter Dena, and friends and family too numerous to mention. He was a sincerely just and upright man who will always be deeply loved. A celebration of Erwins life will be held at noon on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Christ Lutheran Church, 311 S. Citrus, West Covina, California. For more information on Erwin, see: http://samhenderson.livejournal.com/ for Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 9:24 am Erwin Kauper 1920 - 2008 and page 2 of http://www.nwas.org/newsletters/pdf/news_jan2002.pdf
Eldridge, Arthur C., Lt Col (Ret.), "Art or Archie", Jan. 1, 1916 - July 26, 2008 -- Entered into rest at the age of 92 in Sacramento, Calif. Beloved husband of Fledra for 68 years. Born in Nogales, AZ to James & Charolette Eldridge. The family later relocated to CA where Art graduated from San Jose State, then joined the Merchant Marines and US Army Air Corps during WWII as a Navigator/Bombardier, serving in China Burma, India (CBI), where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, National Defense Medal, WWII Air Commendation Medal, & the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. Retiring from the US Air Force after 20 years as a Meteorologist, he then began a career working for the State of CA for 27 yrs., finally retiring from the State Military Reserve as a Lt. Col. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard, and sisters Mary Mueller and Shirley Dick. Survived by his sister Ina Jebb, daughters Charleene Naughton and Norma Eldridge, grandson Brian Hendricks (Heather), great granddaughters Taylor & Brooklyn Hendricks, & numerous nieces & nephews. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to snowballexpress.org or the charity of your choice.
Gordon W. Schmal, Col USAF (Ret.), died on Saturday, July 26, 2008 in Gainesville, FL. He was born in Mancelona, MI on March 12, 1921 and grew up in St. John and Hammond, IN. He and Mary Elizabeth Thomson were married April 10, 1944 in All Saints Church in Hammond. Col. Schmal completed Cadet training in 1942 and Pilot school in 1943. He flew 50 missions in a B-17 over North Africa and Italy in WWII. He was a member of the 2nd Bomb group and separated from active duty in 1946. He returned to school and graduated from St. Louis University in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Technology. He then returned to active duty and completed Weather Officer's School and went to Korea for 16 months. He was then assigned to Warner Robins, Georgia and from there he was sent to Wiesbaden, Germany. In 1960, Col. Schmal was assigned to Battle Creek, MI and from there to Jet School in TX. In 1963, he was assigned to Colorado Springs, CO and two years later, he went back to Korea for a year. His next assignment was Scott AFB, IL and after four years, he was sent to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he was able to see his son, Tom, who was on duty with the U.S. Marines in Dong Ha. A year later, he was transferred to NORAD in Colorado Springs, CO and then to the Pentagon in Washington, DC and Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA before retiring. Gordon attended LA Tech University where he obtained a Masters degree in Counseling. He went on to study and obtained a license from H&R Block Tax School. In 1994, he and Mary moved to Newberry to be near their daughter, Laura Davis. He was an avid reader, a great golfer, and a devout Catholic. Col. Schmal worked with Catholic Charities in Shreveport and the Harvest program in Gainesville. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Col. Schmal was preceded in death by his son, Robert Gordon Schmal; parents: Will and Martha Schmal; three brothers: Ralph, Frank and Dick. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; sons: Thomas (Bridget) of Houston and James of Santa Cruz, CA; daughters: Mollie Clinkenbeard (Brad) of Lewisville, TX, Laura Davis (John) of Gainesville, Anita Melson (Lars) of Colorado Springs, CO and Nancy Vetters (Vic) of Burlington, VT; 14 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sister, Wilamine Tompkins of Schererville, IN; and old friend and brother-in-law, Bob Thomson of Munster, IN. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Fr. Ron Camarda officiating. Visitation and the Rosary will be in the Church Chapel Friday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Interment at Forest Meadows Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colonel Schmal's name to St. Francis House, 413 S. Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. A guestbook is available at http://www.legacy.com/NWITimes/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=114518661
Graham, Jack Montgomery, Lt Col USAF (Ret.), 85, of Tyler, Texas, a former public works director and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, passed away on July 17, 2008, at a Tyler hospital. He was born Jan. 18, 1923, in Dallas to the late Charles Herbert and Martha Jane Graham. Col. Graham was a 1945 graduate of Southern Methodist University and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was the former public works director for the city of Fort Worth and Corpus Christi from 1966- 1983. Col. Graham was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the First Christian Church in Lindale. He was actively involved with the Boys Scouts of America as a troop leader. In addition to his parents, Col. Graham was preceded in death by a son, Charles R. Graham. Survivors: A loving family including his wife of 63 years, Doris M. Graham of Tyler, formerly of Fort Worth; and son, Richard B. Graham, also of Tyler.
William Edward Zimmermann, Lt Col USAF (Ret.), 95, died July 16, 2008 in Amarillo, Texas. Bill was promoted to Lt Col during the Korean War and retired in 1960 after completing 25 years of military service. He and his young family then moved to Albuquerque, NM, and began his second career, which was to span 14 years as a meteorologist with the US Weather Bureau. In 2001, he and his wife Olive moved to Amarillo to be closer to their daughter. His wife, Olive, preceded him in death on June 6, 2008. After a funeral Mass at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Amarillo, Bill was buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. The family request that memorials be made to the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project, 314 South Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101.
Douglass D. Shaffner,Lt Col (Ret). 89, of Tempe, Arizona passed away on July 11, 2008. Doug was a native of Bliss, New York and a graduate of Houghton College. He was drafted into the United States Air Force in 1942. Doug served for 25 years; the majority of the time as a meteorologist. He traveled throughout the United States and overseas accompanied by his wife, Lora, and three children. After retirement in 1967, Doug worked in the computer industry in Phoenix. In 1985, he moved with his wife Lora to Friendship Village. After Lora's death, Doug married and is survived by his second wife Edna, two children, David (Marian) Shaffner of San Francisco, and Donna (Tandy) Hamilton of Goodyear and step-daughters, Lois Cassano, and Lila (Steve) Allgeier, from Virginia. He was pre-deceased by his son, Douglass, Jr. Doug leaves eight grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Friendship Village Skirm Auditorium, 2645 E. Southern Ave., in Tempe, a graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday at the National Cemetery, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Published in The Arizona Republic on 7/18/2008
Hull, Elsie D. "Dee", 89 of Fernandina Beach, Florida died on July 7, 2008 after a brief illness. She was born May 9, 1919 in Bournemouth, England. She was predeceased by her husband Col USAF (Ret.) Arnold Hull in 1976. She is survived ny her son, Robert (Sheila) Hull, and daughter Carol (Paul) Condit, both of Fernandina Beach; two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held at St Peter's Episcopal Church in Fernandina and she was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 13 August next to her husband. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or the American Cancer Society.
Donald W. Messecar Born in Waterford, Ontario, Canada on October 2, 1924 Passed away on Mon. June 30, 2008 and resided in Mount Vernon, WA Donald Wesley Messecar was born in Waterford, Ontario, Canada on October 2, 1924, the second child of Clayton William and Laura Schooley Messecar. He died as the result of a sudden illness on June 30, 2008. Mr. Messecar served as a reconnaissance pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force for three years during and immediately after World War II. He then became an American citizen and joined the United States Air Force, serving in occupied Japan, Greenland and London. Shortly after joining the Air Force, he began training as a meteorologist, becoming a senior forecaster for the Air Force Strategic Air Command. His duties included forecasting flight plans and briefing pilots for Air Force One. He served 20 years in the Air Force, retiring as a senior warrant officer (CWO4). He then worked an additional 20 years as a civilian meteorologist continuing his career as a head forecaster at Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. He retired to Sudden Valley, Washington in 1983, where he lived for 20 years. Mr. Messecar married Jean Kennedy Johnson, of Kenora, Ontario, Canada, in 1944, and the couple had two sons. She preceded him in death in 2004. Mr. Messecar is survived by his sons, Derek Messecar, of London, England and Bruce Messecar, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; his granddaughter, Caroline Messecar of Moscow, Russia; daughter-in-law, Lisa Messecar; and siblings and their spouses Bonnie and Gus Andre of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Albert Messecar of Westland, Michigan; Carol and Gordon Allardyce of Orchard Lake, Michigan and Gail and Bob Pacos of Newport Court, California. He is also survived by his dear Mary Frances and all her family, all of whom felt privileged to know this kind and thoughtful man. Mr. Messecar was an avid aviator, golfer, and fisherman, and he enjoyed ballroom dancing. He was a member of several dance groups, including the Hillcrest Thursday dance group in Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Elks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Mr. Messecar's favorite charity, The Salvation Army.
Virginia I. Miller (Ginny), died on June 22, 2008. Ginny was a beautiful and gracious lady in life. She dearly loved her three daughters Priscilla, Cheryl, and Joanne and was a loving wife to her husband, Bob, for 55 years. Ginny will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Robert E. Miller CMSgt (Retired)
417 Erin Drive
Fairview Heights. IL 62208-3727
Eugene Talmadge Blanton, Col USAF (Ret.) died on June 15, 2008 at his home in Sacramento CA after a lengthy illness. Born in Talbotton, GA in September 1921 he entered the Army Air Forces in WW II for training as a Flight Engineer in the B-29. He left active duty after the war and reentered Georgia Tech where he graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree in 1946. While attending Tech, he rose to be the president of his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, Gamma Tau Chapter. He later wrote that GA Tech "provided a highway for all my success and accomplishments." Subsequently he was employed with the Boeing Company before returning to the Air Force in 1948 for training at Chanute AFB as a Weather Officer. His first assignment as a forecaster in Air Weather Service was in Japan. Subsequent Weather Officer duties took him to Shaw AFB, Wiesbaden Germany, Langley AFB, and Vietnam. Upon promotion to Colonel he was reassigned as a Civil Engineer with various Air Force units at Scott AFB, Travis AFB, Osan Korea, and Kelly AFB. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel in 1977. His last assignment was as the Chief Civil Engineer for the Western Region of the Air Force with his office in San Francisco, CA. After retirement he was employed as a Professional Engineer for the Spink Corp in Sacramento and retired again in 1983. During that time he obtained his Professional Engineer Certification. At age 65 he went back to school, graduated with honors, and received his Masters Degree in Business Administration. Gene played golf for many years and also achieved the rank of Life Master in the bridge world in 1995. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy, and his six children, Lindy, Deborah, Lowry, Patti, Bobby and Susan, 18 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Betty Petree of Bethlehem, GA. He was interred on July 2, 2008 at the VA Cemetery near Dixon CA. A Guest Book is available from the Sacramento Bee at http://www.legacy.com/SacBee/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=112224349
Clark Steadmam Pinder, Lt Col USAF (Ret.), 69, of Cocoa, Florida, lost a very tough battle with cancer on 15 May 2008. He was born in Key West, Florida on 11 January 1939. He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in meteorology in 1961 and entered the USAF Air Weather Service. His assignments included: Blytheville AR, Hickam HI, Scott IL, Ft. Rucker AL and two tours at Langley VA. He retired at 5th Weather Wing headquarters in Langley AFB, VA in 1989 after 28 years of great service. He continued great weather support service in a civilian capacity at 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick AFB, Florida as a deputy launch weather officer-radar supporting Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center and retired from that in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Gail Stromire Pinder; his son, Chris Pinder (Beth) of Poquoson, VA; his daughter, Melissa Lamp (Garrett); his son, Scott Bohannon (Lee Anne) of Alexandria, VA; his brother Joey Pinder of Key West; and eight grand children. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Links of Hope, 1535 North Cogswell St., Suite C20, Rockledge, FL 32955. A celebration of Clarks life will be held at the chapel at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home in Rockledge on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 6 p.m.
Butler, George S., Lt Col (Ret.), 89, Salina, KS., passed away Thursday, May 8th, 2008. He retired from the US Air Force in May of 1962, and the FAA as a Flight Inspector in 1987. A funeral service was held on May 12, at the Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home with graveside services at the Prairie Mound Cemetery, Solomon, KS.
Calvin Naegelin, Lt Col USAF (Ret.), age 63, died Monday, May 5, 2008, at his residence in Papillion, NE. He was born Sept. 22, 1944, in Hermann to the late Erwin and Bernice Naegelin. Mr. Naegelin retired from the Air Force after serving for 25 years on active duty. Then he worked for five years in civil service, and taught meteorology at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and Grace University. He was a certified consulting meteorologist (#548) with American Meteorological Society and ran Weathervane Consultants. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society of England and a charter member of the National Weather Association. Mr. Naegelin received his masters degree in Meteorology in 1974, and his ham radio was WD9APU. He was preceded in death by parents and a brother, Richard Naegelin. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Papillion, Neb.; a son and daughter-in-law, Conrad Naegelin and Helen of Canton, Mich.; grandchildren, Emily and Lotus; sister Gloria Wagstaff of St Louis; two nephews, Robert Wagstaff of St. Louis, and Tim Naegelin of San Francisco, Calif. A graveside service was held Friday, May 9, at Cedar Dale Cemetery, Papillion, Neb. A memorial service was held Friday, May 9, at the Community Bible Church, Omaha, Neb. Memorials to Wycliffe Bible Translators or Ne. Humane Society. Guest book is at http://www.legacy.com/Omaha/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=109160741
Church, James F. Lt Col USAF (Ret.), 84, died April 18, 2008, at Frisbie Hospital in Rochester after a period of failing health. Better known to his family and friends as Jim, he was born May 15, 1923, in Cadillac, Mich., to F. Marshall Church and Eleanor (Baker) Church. After graduating from Midland High School in Michigan, he entered Michigan State University as a chemistry major. After two years there, he joined the Army Air Corps, attended the Weather Officer Course and graduated as a second lieutenant weather officer. He served in the China, Burma, India Theater as a forecaster on the "Humps" route to China. He was also the liaison officer to the Royal Thai Weather Service in Bangkok, Thailand, where he assisted in training their weather officers and re-establishing the Thai Weather Service. For his efforts, he was awarded the Royal Thai Wings by a grateful Thai government. In 1947, he returned to the United States and civilian life. He was sent to Pittsburgh, Pa., to work on the Dow Corning Fellowship at Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. He met his wife, Dorothy Newhouse, while finishing his degree in chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1949 he received his bachelor of science in chemistry and entered graduate school there. In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, he volunteered to return to active duty. After extensive training in high altitude forecasting and climatology and receiving an M.S. in meteorology from the University of Chicago, he was sent to Japan where he served as chief of the Climatology Division at Tokyo Weather Central until 1955. When he returned home, he was stationed briefly in Illinois and then to Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL) at Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., where he remained for 16 years, interrupted for one year for a tour of duty Vietnam. AFCRL was, by far, his most interesting work. Using a C-130 as a flying laboratory, he studied the clouds, hurricanes, tornadoes, storms and weather instrumentation on planes. In 1976 after 33 years of military service, he retired to Dover, where he pursued his hobbies ; gardening, deer, pheasant and duck hunting, fly tying, fly fishing and teaching science as a substitute teacher in local high schools. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; by his son, James, and wife, Samantha, and their son, Jeremy, of Lebanon, Maine, and daughter, Mary Ann, of Dover and her children, Patrick and Janelle; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, F. Marshall Church, by his mother Eleanor Grinnell Church, his stepfather Wm. Harrison Grinnell and by his brother, John Church, all of Midland, Mich. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Homemaker Health Services, of 215 Rochester Hill Road, Rochester 03867 and to the Rochester Manor at 40 Whitehall Road, Rochester, NH 03867.
Billy D. (Rich) Richardson SMSGT USAF(Ret.), passed away on April 3, 2008 in Omaha, NE at the age of 70. Rich had lived in Bellevue, NE for the past 30 years or so. He had been assigned to AFGWC and then spent a year in Korea with me in 1982-1983 as my Station Chief. Rich retired as a SMSgt in Oct, 1986 after 28 years service and he and his wife, Janet, continued to reside in Bellevue. Rich worked as an Observer at Eppley Airport in Omaha for a short time and then worked as a manager for RBG Corporation until his retirement in 2002. Rich and I were stationed together at Clark AB, Philippines(1963-1964) and at Kunsan AB, ROK (1982-1983). Rich was my good friend and one hell of an NCO. Submitted by Bob Borchers. Rich is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters, Jill and husband Ron Albers, Bellevue, Emma Kolvek, Bellevue, son-in-law, John Kolvek, Lawrence, KS; 5 grandchildren, Nicholas, Jack, Gabriel, Lillie and Drew. Funeral service was at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bellevue. Interment Bellevue Cemetery.
Anthony Aiken "Tony" Pearson MSgt USAF (Ret.), 51, husband of Deborah Stout Pearson, died Sunday, March 30, 2008, at Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia SC. Born in Douglas, Ga., he was a son of the late Benajah Pearson and the late Leona Carver Pearson. Mr. Pearson was a member of Springbank Baptist Church and the Goldwing Road Riders Association. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years, was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, and was employed by the 28th Operational Weather Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base as a civilian trainer. Survivors include his wife of Dalzell; three children, Shea Hardy of Opelika, Ala.; David Pearson of Mobile, Ala.; and Heather Spears of Port Barre, La.; five grandchildren; three brothers, Jim Pearson and Joseph Pearson, both of Goose Creek, and Stan Pearson of Merritt, R.I.; and two sisters, Mary Clara Shultz of Winter Park, Fla., and Ruth Sapp of Denton, Ga. Memorial services with full military honors were held at Springbank Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Miller officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210. A Special request from Mrs Dee Pearson Very good information for everyone!
Rodney, Ronald Lee 64, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away February 4, 2008. Ron was a retired Lt. Col. in the Air National Guard. His last assignment was commander of the 207th Weather Flight based in Indianapolis. He also had 38 years combined active duty and civil service as a Staff Meteorologist in the Air Force. Ron worked for Detachment 3 Air Force Weather Agency at Wright Patterson Air Force Base at the Air Force Research Lab Sensors Directorate. Ron was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend, Co-worker, Teammate, Teacher, Mentor, and Man. He loved everything life had to offer: God, Family, Friends, Nature, Weather, Sports, Church, and especially his wife of 38 years. He was a true family man that had it all. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his children, Lisa, Chris, and Jeff. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions, in the form of donations, be made in memory of Ron to the Clifton Gorge Division of Natural Preserves, 2045 Morse Rd. Building F-1, Columbus, OH 43229 or the Beavercreek Wetlands, admin@beavercreekwetlands.org.
James A. "Al" Polston, SMSgt USAF (Ret.), 78, died Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, at the Chambersburg PA Hospital. Born Nov. 30, 1929, in Lumberton, N.C., he was the son of the late Charles and Nettie Hughes Polston. He worked for Unisys Corp. in Blue Bell, Pa., for more than 20 years before retiring as a manager. He was also a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Air Force for over 20-years in Air Weather Service as Observer, Forecaster and Meteorological Programmer and Systems Analyst. He also served at Ernest Harmon AB Newfoundland. He was the lead Systems Analyst for development of the Automated Weather Network ('65-'66). He came to Tinker AFB (and AWN) from ETAC. He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Gale Polston, whom he married May 27,1950; three sisters, Verna Sneed and Ruby Polston, both of Lumberton, and Margaret Wiley of Charlotte, N.C.; and one brother, Norman Polston of Lumberton. A memorial service was held at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg. Inurnment followed in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Chambersburg.
Col. Wayne C. Bogard USAF(Ret.), died Friday morning, January 4, 2008 at his home in Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield CA. He was born in 1920. He is survived by a sister. His wife of many years, Claire, died 3 years earlier and he will be buried on January 11th along her side in Sacramento CA. He was a B-17 pilot in WW II, shot down in 1943, evaded capture for awhile with the aid of the French underground, but ultimately captured by the Gestapo. He remained on active duty in MATS and Air Weather Service as an aviator and Materiel officer until retirement from AWS as the DCS Logistics from November 1967 to January 1970. He was a member of the Air Weather Association and attended every one of its reunions.
Roger H. Olson, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.), a longtime scientist and activist and former Boulder City Councilman, died in Boulder City,Colorado, January 3, 2008, following a long illness. He was 88.