Posted on22 Apr 2019byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet ADC Robert T. Harbs USN (Ret) VP-4 1971 – 1974
ADC Robert T. Harbs USN (Ret) VP-4 1971 – 1974
Chief Harbs supervised VP-4 Check Crew in 1972 and served as squadron Leading Chief in 1974
Robert Thomas Harbs, known as “Mr. Bob” or “Pappy”, born October 29, 1929, to Marshall & Matte Harbs of Norwalk Connecticut passed away suddenly of natural causes on Monday, October 8, 2018.
Bob served in the US Navy for 31 years, serving his nation, seeing the world and retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He and his wife relocated to San Antonio where they have resided for 39 years. Bob worked and retired from Kelly A.F.B before finally retiring and hanging up his work clothes.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother Mattie and father Marshall; brothers James, William; sister Ruth and grandson Edward.
Bob is survived by his spouse of 68 years, Vernona Elizabeth Harbs; daughter Catherine Marie of Jackson, MI; Robert George of Triangle, VA.; David M. of Lavon, Texas; 7 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
The family request that donations be made in Bob’s memory to Boys Town – online: www.boystown.org, by mail: Boys Town, PO Box 6000, Boys Town, NE 68010, or by phone: 1-800-217-3700.
Condolence cards may be sent to his son, David, who also served in VP-4 from 1974 to 1977.
Mr. David M. Harbs
PO Box 283
Lavon, TX. 75166-0283
Posted on15 Apr 2019byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet LCDR Thomas E. Gibbs USN (Ret) VP-4 1959 – 1961
LCDR Gibbs was PPC of Crew 6 and served as Assistant Operations Officer and then Operations Officer.
Burial will be in Ft Barancas National Cemetery in NAS Pensacola, FL 11:30 am on April 19, 2019.
Lieutenant Commander Thomas Edwin Gibbs, Sr. (1/14/1924 -10/02/2018) passed away at the age of 94. Born in Maggie, WV to Robert Earl Gibbs and Mary Belle Ball Gibbs, Ed spent his childhood on his grandfather’s farm near Point Pleasant, WV. Attending West Virginia University, he dropped out to join the Navy in 1942, entering the flight program. He earned his wings and remained in the Navy for a 30- year career. After retiring, he was re-activated for two years as a jet pilot instructor with VT-7 at NAS Meridian, MS, training pilots for the Vietnam War, and was named
Instructor of the Year recognized for 10,000 accident-free flying hours. He also spent two years as Operations Officer for Glenview Naval Air Station. After retiring again from the Navy in 1971, he was a real estate agent in Libertyville, IL until moving to Cape Coral, FL in 1980. He was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth, daughter Margaret, and second wife Aldine. He is survived by his son in Flint, TX, his daughter in Tampa, FL, his step-daughter in Conyers, GA and three grandchildren. Burial was in Ft. Barrancas National Cemetery in NAS Pensacola, FL on April 19, 2019.
As a boy growing up along the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, he enjoyed day-long bicycle rides from Point Pleasant to Charleston and Huntington. His maternal grandfather settled a farm in the area the government took over in WWII as a TNT reservation north of Point Pleasant, now infamous as the location of the “Mothman”. For Ed, it was a wonderful place for growing up, finding arrowheads in the plowed fields, wandering streams and the hills above the farm, and no scary monsters.
Ed’s introduction to flying was classic 1930’s, provided by a barnstormer who flew the Ohio River, stopping at small towns along the river to give rides in his bi-plane, for a price, of course. One flight was all it took to hook Ed’s imagination, and his love of flying would last all of his life. He was a born pilot, with excellent eyesight, coordination, endurance, and a marvelous sense of adventure tempered with a strong sense for safety.
Ed was a loving husband and father and a loyal friend. He enjoyed an array of exciting activities, including flying, sailing, camping, photography, RV travel around the country and long car trips, reading, and searching for buried treasure with his metal detector, He trained to be a real estate agent, a locksmith, and a notary. He was a certified weather-watcher (a natural for a pilot) and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Ed made contributions to many organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (vfw.org), Disabled American Veterans (dav.org), United Services Organization (uso.org), the American Legion (legion.org), AMVETS (lots of independent local chapters), and National Audubon Society (audubon.org). As a veteran, he was very proud of his Naval career and cared very deeply about the military community.
Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet LCDR Thomas E. Gibbs USN (Ret) VP-4 1959 – 1961
Posted on15 Apr 2019byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet AD2 Michael S. Kloes VP-4 1981 – 1985
While trying to track down VP-4 vets to inform them about our upcoming reunion, I found out that Michael passed away in 2012. According to the 82 and 83/84 cruise books, he was assigned to the Line Crew.
Michael Steven Kloes, 50, of Hills, MN, unexpectedly died at home, Tuesday, December 25, 2012.
Funeral services will begin at 10 am, Saturday, December 29, 2012, at Faith United Presbyterian Church, in Brandon, with Pastor Chuck Asche officiating. Interment will follow at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Valley Springs. Full Military Honors will follow. Visitation will begin Friday, December 28, 2012, from 4 pm until 7 pm at Heartland Funeral Home.
Michael Steven Kloes was born May 1, 1962, on a military base in Germany to Paul and Evelyn (Volberg) Kloes. Michael moved around a lot because of his families’ military background but in 1980, he graduated from Clovis High School in New Mexico. In 1981, Michael joined the US Navy. In 1985, after an accident that broke his back, Michael was honorably discharged. He moved to Sioux Falls to be with his children. On July 29, 2006, Michael married Sheri Roseboom. He worked for the VA in food service and also drove for Yellow Cab for eight years.
Michael was a tinkerer and enjoyed working on cars, making music boxes, woodworking crafts, and constructing model cars. He also enjoyed VW Bugs and playing monopoly with his family. On most weekends, Michael and Sheri could be found at the races cheering on their favorite drivers. Michael also was an active member of Faith United Presbyterian Church and the El Riad Shrine in Sioux Falls for several years.
Michael will be deeply missed by his wife Sheri, two children; Jason (Jessi) Kloes, Yokuska, Japan and April (Aaron) Skinner of Sioux Falls, five grandchildren; Braxtan, Cardon, Dylan, Heather, and Alyson; his parents; Evelyn Kloes, Liberty, SC, and Paul Kloes, Pittsburg, PA; and two sisters; Kim Kloes, Palm Bay, FL, and Rosemary (Bo) Mackey, Liberty, SC.
Posted on08 Apr 2019byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet LTJG Joe Jack Lones VP-4 1958 – 1961
LTJG Joe Jack Lones VP-4 1958 – 1961
OCTOBER 23, 1933 ~ JANUARY 12, 2019 (AGE 85)
Joe Lones flew on Crew 1 and served as the Allotment Control Officer in 1958.
Loving father, faithful and true friend. Chaser of photons, clouds, adventures, fun, smiles and laughter. Defender of all that is good. An enthusiastic life well-lived. Joe Jack Lones, born October 23, 1933, passed away unexpectedly on January 12, 2019. In Joe’s words, “it has been my good fortune to travel life’s roads offering vast opportunities for learning and adventure.”
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, always Joe Jack at heart, he enjoyed numerous mischievous escapades with his young friends. His dog Sparky at his side, his pals biking alongside him, they romped through Dallas afternoons looking for trouble as young boys do. Rainy afternoons and evenings were filled with model-airplane building. Other times, he would take his cousins to the movies and then treat them to the penny arcades. Lifelong friends, he was blessed with their companionship.
During World War II Joe was in elementary school. His mother was a nurse at an airplane factory, and he often joined her there after school and watched the planes file off the assembly line. His first hint at a life filled with the love of flying. During the war he was in charge of selecting vegetables for dinner from the family’s Victory Garden and he recalled military men walking past his front yard, saluting him and his friends as they stood tall, boys of ten years or so saluting back.
During high school, Joe joined the ROTC and was a star on the rifle team, excelling at putting a legendary 100 bullets through a single bullet hole.
After his Highland Park high school graduation, Joe attended the University of Texas on a riflery scholarship, where more hijinks and adventures happened. He preferred to own a motorboat rather than a car and shared many great escapades with friends on Texas lakes. Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from UT in 1956, and then went off to Navy Flight School.
After completing flight school, he served in the Navy, achieving the rank of lieutenant. During his almost two years flying patrols in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, his spare time found him participating in the Eisenhower People to People Program via the University of Hong Kong Fisheries Research Unit. They were engaged in creating a pearl industry to occupy multitudes of refugees fleeing Mao’s repression in China. He had many exciting adventures in the Navy, including a personal visit from Air Force One and a subsequent flight to Emperor Hirohito’s birthday party. It was there that he also began taking pictures underwater, a passion that would continue for the rest of his life.
After his military service, Joe began his engineering career at Aerojet-General in Sacramento, California where he was a test engineer on the Polaris and Minuteman missile programs. Leaving Sacramento, he joined a high-school classmate for a six-month adventure exploring Mexico on a motorcycle.
After the motorcycle trip he accidentally landed permanently in San Diego working at Scripps Institute of Oceanography Visibility Laboratory designing, assembling, taking to sea and orbital space a multitude of optical instruments and cameras. During his time at Scripps, Joe performed post-graduate studies in Optical Technology at the University of Rochester. At the Vis Lab Joe met and later married the love of his life, Elaine. Together they enjoyed the young family years with their two children, Loren and Lance. After they separated they remained friends for life.
Joe’s experience at the Vis Lab became the foundation for starting his own research instrument company in 1968, Adroit Engineering, which he continued to lead until a few months before he passed. From Adroit’s headquarters in Point Loma, Joe continued developing optical systems for airborne and orbital space platforms, underwater cameras, high-speed instrumentation cameras, image processing, and machine vision metrology. Vietnam and the Cold war eras produced significant funding for his company, but the real fun was designing building a huge underwater camera for the Disney “Circle Vision” Theater. In his words, “It is hard to imagine the good fortune of being paid to have so much fun! … And that is the way it has been, from Scripps to now.” His work at Adroit extended to instrumentation for production and quality control in such diverse industries as cosmetics, golfing, bicycle tires and automotive headlamp beam alignment.
Early in his professional life, Joe was a founder of the San Diego chapter of the Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). He recalled the first meeting where they had to scrounge for tables and chairs because more people showed up than expected. San Diego SPIE is still going strong, and the annual SPIE convention is held in San Diego and occupies the full Convention Center.
Throughout his life, Joe collected friends. At the University of Texas and flight school his roommates became lifelong friends leading to many enjoyable encounters through the years. His diving friends joined him in a successful search for jade off the coast of California. He spent hours in the air in gliders and planes with friends exploring the skies. He extended and received many friendships from the SPIE crowd, Vis Lab folks, and neighbors along the way. His weekly Shelter Island Bocce crowd brought him great delight.
Joe was always civic-minded. At one point the City of San Diego wanted to eliminate the grass circle where the Bocce games took place, so he lobbied the city and got the circle declared a historic location thus saving the Bocce game that continues to this day. Another time Joe, a tree lover, chained himself to a tree outside his home to save it.
Toward the end of his career Joe promoted science education for K-12 via the “Magic Show of Light”, making science fun was his focus.
Most of all though, Joe was enormously devoted to, loved, and proud of his children, Loren and Lance. They were his pride and joy, the bright spot in his life. He was always there, available and helpful. From scouts, to rowing meets, graduations, concerts, competitions, and all events in between, big and small, you would find him encouraging them to do their very best and offering a helping hand to them all the way to the end. And it was indeed a helping hand with a smile, laughter, bit of fun, underlined always with safety. In fact, he famously got his kids INTO motorcycle riding rather than out of it (they first had to complete the CHP motorcycle safety course) and they had many fun adventures together on the backroads of San Diego County. Among other things, together they enjoyed roller skating, sailing, and biking in San Diego, a road trip to Colorado, many trips back to Joe’s hometown of Dallas and a fishing excursion to Alaska.
He was Joe Jack, Mr. Joe Lones, Dad – Master of the Art of Living. He lived a beautiful life. He will be intensely missed.
Posted on05 Apr 2019byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet AT1 Douglas E. Carruthers USN (Ret) VP-4 1979 – 1983
Douglas Eugene (Doug) Carruthers – April 21, 1957 – March 28, 2019
As an AT3 in 1980, Doug worked in Avionics and flew as Radio Opeator on Crew 4. In 1982 he was an AT2 and flew with Crew 2.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather (Tatay) and brother, Doug was born April 21, 1957 in Kalispell, MT to Arnold (Arnie) and Bonnie Carruthers. The family moved to the Spokane Valley in the latter part of 1957. Doug graduated from University High School in 1975 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1976. His 20-year naval career included postings in Whidbey Island, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam.
While stationed in the Philippines, Doug met and married the love of his life Nancy Batis. When Doug retired from the Navy in 1996, he and Nancy moved their family back to the Spokane Valley.
Doug returned to civilian life and began a second career working at Itronics (General Dynamics) and most recently at Keytronics.
Doug is survived by his wife, Nancy and his daughters – Norelyn Phillips, Norma Leach (David), Natalie Craig (Kris), Natasha Carruthers and 9 grand-children: Ayana, Kobe, Alexa, Dylan, Corbin, Rowan, David, Nancy, and Bonnie (with one more on the way, Franklin). He is also survived by siblings Charlotte Carruthers, Denise Red, Lori Klassen and Don Carruthers. He was preceded in death by both parents and brother Bill Carruthers.
We will all miss his steadfast love, his terrific smile and wicked sense of humor.
Funeral services for Doug will be held at Thornhill Valley Funeral Chapel on April 19, 2019 at 2:00 pm.
Robert Kosiba was an AT2 flying with Crew 1 as Radio Operator in 1958.
On February 15, 2019, Robert Kosiba passed away, beloved husband of Sandra Kosiba (nee Carey); devoted father of Timothy Kosiba and his wife Leah, Richard Kosiba and his wife Denise, and Michael Kosiba; cherished grandfather of Blake, Ryan, Thomas and Jacob Kosiba; dear brother of Barbara Ciosek, Patricia Pierce, and the late Edward Kosiba. He is also survived by many other loving family and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, on Friday Feb. 22nd from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 am at St. Casimir Church. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery on 3 April 2019. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Robert’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
It is with great sadness that the family of Billie Jerome Brownfield, age 55, announces that he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. He was born November 3, 1963, in Cambridge, Ohio, to Donald F. and Sandra K. (Zipperich) Brownfield. Billie was a 1982 graduate of Meadowbrook High School, where he was an avid cross-country runner. He served with pride for 23 years in the United States Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 2005. He celebrated his retirement from the Navy on a Friday, went back to work performing the same job the following Monday, and was still the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Assistant Hazardous Waste Manager at the time of his passing. Billie will be forever lovingly remembered by his wife, Amy, his children, Joshua (Kristin), Jasmine (Lee), Jessie, Kimbra, and Brandon, his grand-daughter Aerial, his sisters C. Sue, Dawn (Alan), and Jodi, many beloved nieces and nephews, and countless friends that he considered family. Billie joins his father, Donald, his mother, Sandra, and his nephew, Joey in heaven. Services will be on Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Chapel, with a viewing at 1300, followed by a funeral service at 1400 with staff chaplain Lieutenant Ian McCarthy officiating, and a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Billie can be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or to the Coastal Conservation Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at fraserfuneralhome.com
Posted on12 Dec 2018byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet CDR Henry P. Krienke USN (Ret) VP-4 1962 – 1964
Henry Krienke served as PPC on Crew 3 and as ASW Tactical Officer in 1964.
Henry Paul Krienke, 84, of Spring Valley, California, passed away on April 13, 2018, following a brief stay at Scripps Mercy Hospital.
A military service will be held at 2:30 PM on Friday, May 4, 2018, at Miramar National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Featheringill Mortuary.
Henry was born in South Bend, Indiana, on January 13, 1934. He graduated as Valedictorian from Central High School and continued on to the University of Notre Dame where he was enrolled in the NROTC program. In 1955 he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. On April 15, 1956, Henry married Christin Swaim. From this union, he was blessed with 3 sons. On December 24, 1969, Henry remarried. Marlene Alice Clifton brought the blessing of 3 children from a previous marriage into their union of 48 years. Henry loved to sing! He was a member of Skyline Church where he had the joy of singing with the Skyline Chorale for many years.
Henry, a Naval officer, and pilot retired as a Commander after 23½ years of service. He flew multi-engine airplanes and participated in carrier operations in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War.
Returning to the States, he served as an instructor in operations and navigation at Alameda Naval Air Station and San Diego North Island Naval Air Station.
Henry is survived by his wife, Marlene Krienke, and six children: Kai Krienke, Kristopher Krienke, Kieron Krienke (Manuela), David Clifton (Phuc), Tamra Line, and Shari Moreno (Mario). Also surviving are 7
grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and his brother, Loren Krienke (Carol). Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry William and Pauline Caroline Krienke of South Bend, Indiana.
In saying goodbye to Henry, the family rests in the certainty of “Absent from the body…present with the Lord.” (II Cor. 5:8)
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Orval Butcher Ministries,
11980 Woodside Ave.
Suite 1, Lakeside, CA 92040.
To send flowers to the family of Henry Paul Krienke, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Posted on12 Dec 2018byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet CDR Donald C. Klein VP-4 1962 – 1965
Don Klein served as PP3P on Crew 12 and as 1st Lieutenant in 1962. He was PPC on Crew 11 and Assistant Standardization Officer in 1964-65.
Donald Craig Klein
April 16, 1937 – November 14, 2018
Donald “Don” C. Klein, 81, of Orange Park passed away November 14, 2018, at Orange Park Medical Center. Don was born on April 16, 1937, in Oak Park, Ill to the late William and Mildred Klein.
Don graduated from York Community High School, Elmhurst, IL 1955 and continued his education at the University of Miami (FL) where he received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration 1960. He was a proud veteran of the US Navy where he was a naval aviator and retired as a Commander with 20 years honorable service (P-3 maritime patrol aircraft pilot).
Don enjoyed playing bridge and Texas hold ’em, classic cars, playing guitar, friends & family, and traveling (especially world cruises). He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Foxridge HOA president, and Big Orange Chorus.
Don lives on in the hearts of his wife of nearly 60 years, Carol; children, Kerrie and Jason Bernardo, Lindsay and Chris Henderson, Craig Klein, Ken (predeceased) and Sandy Klein, 10 grandchildren and 3 and 1/2 great-grandchildren and sister, Shirley Hoover.
A Celebration of Don’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. December 28, 2018, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32218. A reception will follow (Fleming Island, FL location TBD)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the City Rescue Mission (426 McDuff Ave. South, Jacksonville, FL 32254) or Quigley House (PO box 142, Orange Park, FL 32067-0142).
Posted on02 Dec 2018byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet AW2 Jerry L. Few VP-4 1968 – 1971
It is with great sadness that the family of Jerry Lee Few of Dickson, Tennessee announces his sudden passing on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at the age of 70 years. Jerry will be lovingly remembered by his son Joey, sister Norma Wall, extended family, and countless friends. Jerry was born in February of 1948 to James and Elizabeth Few in Dickson, Tennessee. Jerry proudly served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and attended college at the University of Tennessee. Jerry treasured his extensive music collection, was a great dancer and an avid football fan.
His friends and family are invited to celebrate his life on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., at the Pond Church of Christ – 650 Pond Road, Dickson, TN 37055.
Condolences may be left at http://www.taylorsince1909.com/condolences.php
Posted on22 Oct 2018byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet AVCM Carl L. Barber III USN (Ret) VP-4 1966 – 1969
Ray Frazer, VP-4 66-69, passed me this sad news.
BARBER, Carl L. III, US Navy, Master Chief (Ret.) 79, passed Oct. 13, 2018. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. We love you and we miss you. Cremations of Greater Tampa Bay
Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Oct. 17, 2018
AVCM Carl L. Barber III served as the Avionics Chief in VP-4 during his tour from 8/66 to 2/69.
His career included the following tours.
VAHM-13/VP-24 8/57-9/60
VW-15/VW-13 1/61-7/62
NATTC NAS Memphis, Tennessee 3/63-3/66
VP-4 8/66-2/69
NAMTD12 NAS Moffett Field, California 3/69-5/72
CPWP 5/72-10/76
NAMTRAGRU NAS Memphis, Tennessee 10/76-11/79
Posted on22 Oct 2018byChad Derrington|Comments Off on Passing of VP-4 Vet LT Richard F. Keller VP-4 1982 – 1985
LT Richard F. Keller VP-4 1982 – 1985
Rick Keller served as 3P on Crew 3 in 1983/84. In 1985 he worked in AW Training and flew on Crew 3.
Richard F. Keller, age 55, of New Paltz, NY, died Saturday, August 10, 2013.
Richard was born on May 15, 1958, in Queens, NY. Richard was the son of the late Richard J. and the late Mary (McElroy) Keller.
At the time of his death, Richard was employed as an airline pilot for American Airlines.
“Our father was a wonderful man who loved each of us immensely and unconditionally. He was an amazing Dad and friend who left us too soon. We will miss him tremendously.”
Surviving are a daughter & son-in-law, Kristen & Ryan Auchmoody of Ulster Park, NY and two sons, Eric Keller of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Adam Keller of Pleasant Valley, NY.
Friends and relatives may call on Thursday, August 15, 2013, from 4pm to 7pm at Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 16, 2013, at 10:00 am, at the gravesite, at the New Paltz Rural Cemetery, 81 Plains Road, New Paltz, NY 12561.
Gary Don Allen, 74, of Brentwood,Tenn., passed away Feb. 28, 2012, in Tennessee State Veterans Home, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
He was born Aug. 12, 1937, in Columbus, son of the late Don and Helen (Rotroff) Allen. His sister Karen Fastnaught, of Toledo, survives. Also surviving, his spouse Linda Mashburn Allen, of Brentwood.
Garywas a member of Franklin First United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tenn., and past member of First Christian Church ofSandusky. He graduated from Findlay High School and attended John Carroll University in Clevelandand Findlay College in Findlay, Ohio. While living inOhio, he belonged to many community clubs, including the Sandusky Yacht Club, Toastmasters, Power Squadron, and American Legion.
Garyworked for Chef’s Pantry and then for Stein, Inc. for many years as the director of Human Resources. He owned the photography studio “Images Unlimited” photographing weddings and portraits.
Garywas proud to serve his country in the Army Reserves and then in the Navy. He was presented with a medal and citation from the U.S. Navy for meritorious achievement as an air crewman of a P-3 patrol aircraft during a special reconnaissance mission off the coast of South Korea for directly detecting and subsequent destruction of an enemy infiltrator surface craft. His efforts were instrumental in bringing his damaged aircraft safely to a landing at a friendly base. His skillful airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He was authorized to wear the combat “v”. During his career he was presented with several other medals and citations.
Garyserved in various U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons including: VP-30, VP-7, and VP-4. He was involved during the Cuban Crises in 1963 and 1964 as an air crewman aboard a VP-7 P2V Neptune aircraft assigned to aerial surveillance of Russian ships in route to the island of Cuba carrying missiles. One of the photos he took from aboard a VP-7 aircraft was the one shown during President Kennedy’s news conference on national TV during his announcement of the Cuban Blockade.
Garywas an amateur radio operator (HAM) with the call sign of KB8APU. He enjoyed his experiences operating from various locations. He worked with operators near home base locations to provide members of his squadron with the ability to contact their families via radio from the squadron’s deployed locations. His operating included operations while aboard naval aircraft. He was not able to utilize his amateur radio hobby during the last few years as he would have liked to.
The children with whom Gary shared his life and loved all survive him. They are Deb (Bob)Redmond, of Port Clinton, Don Allen, of Sandusky, and Dawn (Allan) Peterson, of Fremont, whose mother Sarah Crawfis Hartley, survives. Kim Fredrick, of Castalia, and Chuck (Lisa Rutger) from Vermilion, whose mother Viola Sommers Allen, preceded him in death and whose father Chuck Rutger survives. Christy Kaser-Geiger, of Franklin, whose mother Linda Mashburn Allen and father the Rev. Larry J. Kaser survive.
Garyloved his grandchildren, all of whom survive. They are Greg Allen, of Toledo, Bryce and Breanne Fredrick, of Castalia, Andrea, Bethany, and Laura Rutger, of Vermilion, Noah, Evan, Corinne and Nathan Geiger, of Springhill, Tenn., and Brook and Brandi Peterson, of Fremont. He also loved his great-granchildren, all of whom survive. They are Zack and Trenton Peterson, of Fremont.
One nephew, Jeff Fastnaught, of Toledo, survives. One niece Chris Fastnaught is deceased.
A memorial service facilitated by Woodfin Funeral Chapel and Ransom Funeral Home will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, at First Christian Church on Hayes Avenue, Sandusky, with the Rev. Don Linn officiating. Burial will be at the Margaretta Township, Castalia Cemetery on Bardwell Roadin Castalia, immediately following the memorial service. A time for visitation with the family at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall will be after the graveside service.
Donations to your church or favorite charity are suggested by the family.
A Special thank you is given to the administration, doctors, and staff of the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro, for making the last year of Gary’s life as enjoyable as possible. Their expertise and kindness surpassed all expectations.
After a brief struggle with illness, Bruce “Swede” Hjalmar Ohlson took his last flight west for his final check on February 4, 2012. Bruce faced his final days with dignity and serenity.
Bruce was born on April 23, 1931 in Huntington, West Virginia. He grew up there experiencing all the usual lessons of childhood. Bruce enlisted in the US Navy, then took the opportunity to attend flight school courtesy of Uncle Sam. He was commissioned as an Ensign and assigned as a member of VP- 4 as a plane commander. This was an exceptional group of young men who flew anti-submarine patrols on 2 tours of the Far East. This group of young men, flying government supplied airplanes, had a very good time (probably too good of a time) and continue to hold regular reunions through the years. Bruce continued to serve his country in the United States Naval Reserve, finally retiring with the rank of Commander. After stepping down from Active Duty, Bruce worked briefly for Mohawk Airlines, then accepted a job flying for United Airlines. He flew for United for more than 36 years, retiring as a very senior Captain. Bruce always enjoyed flying large airplanes, and ended up flying 747’s to Europe, the Far East and South America. If United had a larger Airplane in its fleet, Bruce would have flown it. He was an exceptionally competent pilot, and walked away from every landing he ever made. Passengers for United Airlines were in very good hands when Bruce was in the cockpit. After his retirement from UAL, Bruce indulged his passion for Amateur radio. His ham shack had every conceivable band of radio in it, and if there had been an amateur radio operator on Mars, Bruce would have found a way to broadcast to him, as the nest of radio antennas in his yard would attest to. Bruce was a member of the Washoe County search and rescue team, helping to coordinate their communications from a mobile radio shack.
Bruce was married twice. He found the love of his life Diane Ohlson and married her on August 24, 1981. They stayed together for the duration of his life. Bruce raised 3 children.
Bruce was a man who was always there. If someone needed help he could be counted on to assist. If there was a meeting or a group to get organized, he would be in the thick of it. If he said he would be at one place at a specific time, he would be there. You could rely on Bruce to do his dead level best at anything he attempted. A day “loafing” with Bruce would exhaust a lesser person. He was a member of a select group of men that was taught to be as good as their word, and he expected that from everyone in his circle. Bruce was an achiever who led an exemplary life. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Bruce is survived by his wife of thirty years Diane, of Reno, Nevada, his sister Sylvia of Virginia Beach, Virginia, his son Dana (Nancy) Ohlson of Grand Junction, Colorado, his daughter Kristin Ohlson Melnikoff (Harry) of Collbran Colorado, his daughter Tracy Hoobyar (Phil) of Reno Nevada and 6 grandchildren, Lauren, Amber, Daniel , Hannah, Brandon and Cody.
There will be a celebration of Bruce’s life at the family’s home in South Reno on Saturday, March 3, at 4 pm. Please call <Omited by VP-4 Association> for information and the address. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Bruce’s name.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on February 19, 2012
Posted on25 Feb 2012byLarry Hames|Comments Off on POND, Richard E. LCDR USN (Ret) VP-4 1954-56
Dick Pond served in the Navy for 23 years as a pilot and communications engineer. He retired as lieutenant commander in 1968 and moved with his family from Brunswick, Maine, to Southern California, settling in the then small town of Newbury Park, where he lived with his wife for 43 years. After working 20 years for Lockheed in Burbank, Dick retired and devoted his time to his hobbies of photography, gardening, computers and baking bread. He and his wife of 61 years had three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (and counting). Dick was preceded in death by his granddaughter Danielle Burt. He is survived by his wife, Roberta, and family members Patty, Rick, Carol, Danny, Pam, Bill, Tanya, Bradley, Sally, Shannon, Robert, Andy, Daniel, Nikki, Alyssa, Canaan, Mokey and Izzy. Memorial services were held last week at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church in Newbury Park and Conejo Mountain Funeral Home in Camarillo. Published in the Thousand Oaks Acorn on 12/01/2011
Comments Off on POND, Richard E. LCDR USN (Ret) VP-4 1954-56
Cdr. Bruce H. “Swede” Ohlson , USNR Ret. K7UAL
You must be logged in to post a comment.