Category Archives: Fallen Shipmates

CAPT Richard L. Breckon USN (Ret) VP-4 1958 – 1961

As an Ensign in 1958, Dick Breckon flew with Crew 12 and worked in Navigation.  As LTJG in 1960, he flew with Crew 3 and worked in Records and Reports.  In 1961 he was a Lieutenant flying as PPC of Crew 3 and was the Communications Officer.

Captain Richard Louis Breckon, USN Retired, 86, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, passed away January 25, 2021. He was born January 22, 1935, in Oakland, California, to Louis Anthony and Louise (Murphy) Breckon.

Richard served as a U.S. Navy pilot for 33 years. He was a graduate of the University of California Berkley Campus and obtained his PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in 1972. Richard retired from Falcon Jet as Vice President of Engineering.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and first wife, Judith Rawlins Breckon.

Survivors include wife, Ruth Anne Breckon USMC Ret. of Hot Springs Village; children, William L. Breckon (Diane) of Reno, Nevada, Theresa Bixby of Long Beach, California, Lori Gish (Tom) of Manhattan, New York, Michael Breckon (Dr. Denise) of Leonardtown, Maryland; Frances Breckon of Nassau Co., New York, John Breckon (Regina) of Pulaski Co, Arkansas; brother, Tom Breckon (Michelle) of Sacramento, California; twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The service is scheduled for Friday, February 19th at 11:00 am. This will be a virtual service. The family and trustees do not desire anyone to endanger themselves or others by attending an in-person service.

https://www.caruth-hale.com/obituaries/Captain-Richard-Louis-Breckon-USN-Retired?obId=19820455#/obituaryInfo
—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

Charles Bechtel was a LTJG serving as an Air Intelligence Officer in 1958.

Charles E. Bechtel, 85, died Sunday, September 29, 2019, at UPMC Pinnacle Hanover Hospital.  He was the husband of Mariam I. Bechtel, his wife of 53 years.

Charles was born March 3, 1934, in Merchantville, NJ, the son of the late John B. and Frances (Ramsburg) Bechtel.

Charles was a member of Paradise “Holtzschwamm” Lutheran Church in Thomasville, and served in the U.S. Navy where he was promoted to the rank of Commander.  He was a graduate of East Berlin High School, serving as class president, and was very active in organizing class reunions, attended Elizabethtown College, then obtained his under graduate and master’s degree in business administration, from George Washington University where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa.  Charles was employed by Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone, and later Verizon, and along with his wife, owned and operated the Lease-Bechtel Mansion Inn Bed and Breakfast for 16 years.  He was a devoted husband and loving father, a life-member of the East Berlin Historical Preservation Society, and enjoyed traveling, collecting antiques, gardening and reading.

In addition to his wife Mariam, Charles is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth B. Ford and her husband Col. Dom Ford of Fairfax, VA, and Charlotte B. Bomar and her husband Shane Bomar of Virginia Beach, VA, two grandchildren, Jacqueline M. Ford and Ryon C. Ford, and a brother, Mayo W. “Bill” Bechtel of East Berlin.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019, at 10 AM, at Paradise “Holtzschwamm” Lutheran Church, 3241 Church Rd, Thomasville, with Rev. Douglas Johnson officiating.  Burial will be in Mummert’s Church Cemetery in Abbottstown.  There will be no viewing.  Memorial contributions may be made to the East Berlin Historical Preservation Society, or to the East Berlin Community Library.  Feiser Funeral Home, Inc, 306 Harrisburg St, East Berlin, is in charge of arrangements.  Memories may be shared athttps://www.feiserfuneralhome.com/obituary/Charles-Bechtel—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

LCDR Lion G. Miles VP-4 1957 – 1959

Lion Miles flew with Crew 6 as LTJG in 1958 and served as the Registered Publications Officer.

Lion Gardiner Miles, age 86, died on December 25, 2020 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He lived in Stockbridge for over 40 years and spent the last year and a half of his life at The Landing at Laurel Lake in Lee. A sensitive, smart, and generous man, he was respected and loved by all who knew him – a true gentleman!

Lion was born on March 17, 1934 in Pensacola Florida, the son of Lion Tyler Miles and Elizabeth Innes Lighthipe. He has an interesting family tree – his great-great grandfathers were John Tyler, president of the United States from 1841-1845, and St. George Tucker, a law professor at the college of William and Mary. The Tucker family home remains one of the original homes in Colonial Williamsburg.

Lion also came from a Navy family – his grandfather was Captain Alfred Hart Miles, who wrote the lyrics for the Navy fight song, “Anchors Aweigh” in 1906. And his father was Lieutenant Lion Tyler Miles, who died in World War II when his ship, the U.S.S. Asheville was sunk by the Japanese in the Battle of Sunda Strait off Indonesia. Lion continued the family tradition and joined the Navy, became a naval officer and pilot, and earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After the Navy, Lion became a captain for American Airlines and flew 707s and 727s for many years.

Besides flying, Lion also had a passion for history and studied at the College of William & Mary, and earned a Master’s degree in History from Columbia University.

Lion was a seeker of knowledge, an avid researcher, with special interest in the American Revolution, Native American culture, local Berkshire history, and Genealogy. He lectured widely on Revolutionary War topics, and had several writings published in historical journals. Never one to withhold his opinion, he would often challenge exaggerated historical claims in his letters to the editor of the Berkshire Eagle.

A favorite pastime was reading the Berkshire Eagle and New York Times, and clipping articles. He loved books and amassed a huge private library, with clippings stuffed in every book. While at American Airlines, he would often request flight routes to cities with large historical archives, and then visit them on his layovers. Lion was never one to do research by simply looking up facts on a computer – he always wanted to consult original sources.

He was an honorary member of the Stockbridge-Munsee band of the Mohican Indians in Wisconsin, and would travel there and join their annual pow-wow gatherings. He marched with them at the opening of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC in 2004 – members of that tribe would often stay in Lion’s guest house in Stockbridge. He also compiled and published a Mohican-English translation dictionary.

Lion had other interests too – he enjoyed watching Johnny Carson every night, and loved classic movies (he taped 1000s of them on VHS from the TCM channel, and created a catalogued index). He was also a huge opera buff, kept an opera journal, and loved going to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City at Lincoln Center. And he was always generous in sharing his favorite restaurants with family and friends; a dry Beefeater martini was his drink, and fresh oysters were his favorite food.

Lion also loved animals, especially his many cats and the wild birds and other animals (wild turkeys, black bears) that would venture into his backyard.

Lion is survived by his three daughters Margaret, Elizabeth, and Julie, all living in California, his younger sister Carmen, living in Massachusetts, and his favorite cat Christy.

Much gratitude to the staff at The Landing at Laurel Lake for providing extra care and attention to Lion during this difficult year. He especially loved the musical performances and playing poker with his friends there.

Due to the Covid pandemic, a celebration of Lion’s life will be planned for a later date.

Published in The Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 29, 2021

LTJG Robert K. Gremp VP-4 1957 – 1959

Bob flew with Crew 7 and served in the Education Office.

Robert Keith Gremp (Bob) passed away peacefully at the Woodlands Retirement Community in Huntington, WV on February 8, 2021. He was 89. Bob was a longtime resident of The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach and had recently moved to WV. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Belle, in 2013. Born to Raymond and Georgina Gremp on December 19, 1931 in Webster Groves, MO, Bob was an Eagle Scout and star athlete at Webster Groves High School, earning a scholarship to Harvard College. He continued his athletic exploits at Harvard earning letters in football, basketball and baseball. He also had a wide circle of friends amongst his class, from author John Updike to football teammate Ted Kennedy. Bob graduated in the Class of 1954 with an A.B. in Biology. After graduation, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and went through Officer’s Candidate School followed by basic and advanced flight training before serving as a P2V Neptune pilot in Okinawa, Japan from 1957-1959. He met Mary Belle, a schoolteacher, on the beach in Pensacola, FL while in flight school and they were married on December 28, 1956, in Sebring, FL. They lived in Hutchinson, KS while Bob was in advanced flight training and then in Okinawa before Bob was discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1959. Bob joined Johnson & Johnson in 1959 as a salesman in the Hospital Division in Miami, embarking on a 36-year executive career that took him around the world while he and Mary Belle raised their family in Basking Ridge, NJ, and Fort Worth, TX. He helped build the company’s Hospital Products and Infection Control business units and then expanded them internationally. Following his retirement from Johnson & Johnson in 1995, Bob and Mary Belle settled in The Plantation in Ponte Vedra Beach where has was an avid golfer and a faithful member of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. Bob was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed rooting for the Harvard Crimson teams. He was a devoted reader of history, enjoyed going to the Jacksonville Symphony and traveling the world with Mary Belle. More than anything, Bob loved being a grandfather and great-grandfather! He is survived by his children; Cathy (Tom) Dugan, Lynn (Jim) Cummings, and Keith (BJ) Gremp; his grandchildren Courtney (Michael) Cimino, TJ (Taylor) Dugan, Tim (Megan) Cummings, Drew Cummings, Sarah (Joe) Thomas, Paige Gremp, Sandy Jennings and his great-grandchildren; Rowan and Brooks Dugan, Nellie Thomas and Hadley Jennings. A memorial celebrating Bob’s life will be held at his favorite place, The Plantation Beach Club, in the near future. Please sign the online guestbook at https://www.pontevedravalley.com/obituaries/robert-bob-gremp
—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

May 27, 1947 – April 5, 2021

During the 1968-69 deployment, Bob flew with Crew 9 as the Julie-ECM Operator.  During the 1969-70 deployment he worked in Avionics. 

Robert “Bob” Wayne Blackford, 73, of Apex transitioned into eternal rest on Monday, April 5, 2021 at his home. 

Bob was born in Pennsylvania on May 27, 1947 to the late Norman and Beulah (Storm) Blackford. Bob had a decorated career in the United States Navy and finally retiring from the North Carolina Army National Guard. When Bob was home from the National Guard he was a servant protecting and helping his community as a Paramedic, spending over 20 years running with Apex EMS as well as with several agencies around Wake County. He also provided EMS services as a first aid volunteer with the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Bob was an IBM employee for 30 years. He also coached his sons’ sports teams and loved the Carpenters and Celtic music and his favorite radio station was 104.7 WPTK.

Bob is survived by his wife, Hope Blackford, and sons, Robert A. Blackford and Jeffrey E. Blackford along with several grandchildren whom he loved and adored. Bob is also survived by his brother James Blackford and his sister Linda Blackford.

A Memorial Service will be held in Bob’s honor at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. Apex, NC 27502. Bob’s remains will be buried at sea by the United States Navy at a later date.

All are welcome to attend Bob’s memorial with visitation to follow; the family kindly asks all attendees to wear a mask at all times and social distance when permitted.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the Women’s Center of Wake County, 400 W. South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/apex-nc/robert-blackford-10141171
Condolences may be sent to jeblackford@gmail.com or mailed to
The Blackford Family 104 South Tunstall Avenue
Apex, NC  27502-1943

—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

Paul Recker flew with Crew 8 during the 1974 deployment and served as the Assistant Training Officer. During the 1975 deployment, he flew with Crew 8 and was the Assistant Avionics/Armament Officer.

Paul Robert Recker, 70, returned to his Lord on Tuesday March 17, 2020 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, concluding his battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Constance Recker, and his father-in-law, Edwin Walhout. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy (Walhout), his children, Daryl (Laura), Kyle (Katherine), Tara (Christopher) Warwick, and his grandchildren, Natalie & Emily Recker, Samantha, Maley, & Ryan Recker, and Joseph Warwick. He is also survived by his five brothers, William (Linda), Theodore (Eunice), Robert (Sandra), Timothy (Judith), Mark (Diane); his mother-in-law, Alma Walhout; siblings-in-law Mary (David) Thornton, Ruth Jones, James (Cheryl) Walhout, Elizabeth (Robert) Banning; and 21 nieces and nephews. Paul lived his first 17 years in Nigeria, where he attended Hillcrest School in Jos. After returning to Michigan, he graduated from Calvin College before joining the US Navy. During his 21-year career, he served in many capacities including P-3 Orion mission commander, where he was instrumental in locating the hijacked ship Mayaguez during the Vietnam War. After receiving his Master’s Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, Paul finished his career as the Executive Officer for the Naval Antarctic Support Unit of the National Science Foundation, based in Christchurch, New Zealand. He retired to Grand Rapids in 1993, and began his second 20-year career with John Hancock. Paul was kind, gracious, and filled with an abundance of joy. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, reading with them and playing games with them at every opportunity. He put everyone else first, and his greatest joy in life was making people happy. Because of restrictions due to Coronavirus, there will be no service or visitation, however a memorial service will be held at a future date. If desired, donations can be made in Paul’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project.

https://www.zaagman.com/obituaries/Paul-Robert-Recker?obId=12472901

As an AO3 and AO2, Nolan Perry flew as an Inflight Ordnanceman on Crew 1. During his second tour in the squadron, he flew as an NFO.

Nolan Kauka’ohuikapiko’ohaleakala Perry, Jr., 52 of Waipahu, Hawaii, passed away on February 21, 2021. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He is survived by wife, Debra Perry; son, Blair Perry; daughter Amber Perry; parents, Nolan K. Perry, Sr and Johnnie-Mae L. Perry; sister, Alohalani Perry-Peters.

Private services held.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20202769/Nolan-Kauka-ohuikapiko-ohaleakala-Perry-Jr/Waipahu/Hawaii/Mililani-Memorial-Park-Mortuary

James Dwight Wilkinson

June 29, 1928 – September 9, 2020

87 Year Resident of Aromas

REMEMBERING CDR. JAMES D. WILIKINSON

Where does one even begin to tell of this wonderful, tenderhearted, generous, loving man? Born in Fargo, North Dakota on June 29, 1928, Jim spent his early years in a small townhouse in Fargo with his mother, Grace Wilkinson, his father, Frederick Wilkinson, and his younger sister, Janice. His mother told family members about how he used to be so tidy as a young boy that he would line his toys up carefully in a row. That sense of meticulousness remained with him throughout his life, but more than about material things, he was always careful about how he treated other people.

When he was 5 years old, his family moved to Aromas, California where they purchased an apricot orchard, barn, and farmhouse. Jim and his sister worked along with his very dedicated parents to make the farm run smoothly including picking apricots, care for the animals and other chores. It was while attending college in Salinas that he met the love of his life, his beloved wife, Marguerite Hellen Wilkinson (nee Sanders) whom he married on July 31, 1950.

James’ passion in life (besides his family) was flying. On August 11, 1948, he joined the Navy to follow that passion—he became a pilot. His first aircraft was a P2V but he ended up flying helicopters, both in the Korean war and in Viet Nam where he was the Executive Officer for the H1 Squadron which pioneered the use of the CH46 Helicopters. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam.

James and Marguerite had three children—a daughter, Robin, and two sons, Fred and David. Although his duties serving as a Commander in the U.S Navy weighed heavily on his shoulders, Jim was a dedicated family man and never was too busy for his wife and children. He loved to make big breakfasts for them on the weekends and made sure that every Saturday they all enjoyed doing outdoor activities together—fishing, boating, waterskiing, even horseback riding! Every summer he took his family camping. For him, all of Nature was a manifestation of God’s love to be prized and he instilled that love in his children. James and Marguerite have 6 grandchildren and, although Marguerite did not get to meet them, they have 7 great grandchildren! They pursued many interests together, including, and especially music for which both were gifted, singing in church choirs wherever they went and taking up various musical instruments. James also had many hobbies of his own, including repairing electronic equipment, operating a ham radio, and riding a motorcycle.

When he retired as a Commander in the Navy on June 30th, 1972, James and Marguerite moved to Aromas where he built a house for them to live in at the top of a hill of his parents’ (now their) property. After “retirement” Jim never sat idly, but continued to work in aircraft maintenance, flying, as well as teaching volunteered their time and work for many causes, including helping at the Aromas aircraft maintenance and repair at Gavilan college. Both Jim and Marguerite also spent many hours volunteering for the Community Baptist Church. Later, Jim spent many hours every week working in the Watsonville Community Hospital service League, driving a tram as a courier, Coffee Shop Cashier as well as serving on several committees, including as an elected officer of the service League and as a member of their Board of Directors. He also attended the Central Coast Counties council meetings for the state of California Association of Hospital Volunteer Services.

In 1993, both James and Marguerite decided to become Orthodox Christians, so after becoming catechumens and being received into the faith, they joined the parish of St. Peter and Paul in Ben Lomond, attending faithfully and singing in the choir. Later he joined St. Lawrence Orthodox Church parish in Felton where he felt he had finally reached his spiritual home. Sadly, Marguerite died in 1996 but Jim was faithful to her until the day he reposed in the Lord. Every night, until his last night, he shared 20 or 30 minutes having “memories” with her at a table in his living room that he set up to commemorate her. Not long after his wife’s death, James was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Nonetheless, he continued driving to church and choir practice, for many years. Eventually, however, being so conscientious about safety, he became concerned that it was not safe for him to make the long drive up to Felton. For four years, Father Nathaniel Johnson travelled the 35 miles one way to bring him the Eucharist twice a month which was a tremendous sacrifice for Father, albeit a blessing for Jim who never forgot that great kindness to him.

Everyone who met Jim knows that he was a humble man with tremendous integrity, self-effacing, yet with a good sense of humor. The last time he celebrated Thanksgiving dinner (in 2019) with his sister, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, he told them that what he was most thankful to God for was them. He is loved by all who know him and remembered fondly for his gentle manner, kind heartedness, and very obvious Christian love.

One thing is certain—he is greatly loved by all of his family and friends. His memory will always be eternal!

View the online memorial for James Dwight  Wilkinson at https://www.lastingmemories.com/memorial/james-dwight-wilkinson
—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

During his time in VP-4, “Red” served as 2nd Nav Crew 12 to PPC Crew 1, Radio Div, Personnel, Electronics Officer.  He made deployments to Aleutians, Guam and Okinawa.

Captain Robert Red Tolbert, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2020 in Lynchburg, Virginia after a brief battle with cancer.  Red was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and he served with distinction as a Naval officer for 34 years.  He is survived by his spouse Brenda A. Cobham, son Robert R. Tolbert, Jr. and wife Patricia,  daughters Linda Tolbert, Jane Tolbert, and Carol T. Hardin, grandchildren Lauren Tolbert, Christopher Tolbert, Emily Wiltse and husband Jason, Benjamin Hardin, Sara Switzer and husband Derek, and nine great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his parents George Benjamin and Mary Caroline Dallas Tolbert, and his first wife of 58 years Lorraine “Lou” Hall Tolbert. The memory of Red’s love and service will be greatly cherished and honored by all who knew him.

Red was born in Columbia, SC in September 1926.  He graduated from University High School in 1943 and studied mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina before enlisting in the Navy during World War II and completing training at the U. S. Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL to become a radar technician.  Red won a competitive appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign in 1949.

During his Naval career, Red served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Wright, USS Bennington, and as Executive Officer on the USS Yorktown.  He trained as a naval aviator and navigator, flew surveillance missions during the Korean War, served as a flight instructor at the Naval Air Station in Hutchinson, KS and later at the Naval Training Center in Panama during the Viet Nam War. He served two tours at the Norfolk Naval Base, including one with the Office of the Commander-in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and two tours at the Pentagon with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.  After retiring from the Navy in 1978, Red joined the civilian sector consulting on various military projects.

Red enjoyed an active lifestyle in retirement with many family and friend gatherings and worldwide travels.  He was an avid bridge player and continued to connect with his Naval Academy classmates by creating and managing a class website in his 80s and 90s and organizing their 70th Reunion held in September 2019. Red was a member of the Lynchburg Military Order of World War Veterans and participated in the National D-day Memorial’s 75th Anniversary Ceremony.  A memorial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in 2021.  Tributes in Red’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, or a non-profit of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.

https://tharpfuneralhome.com/funeralpress/captain-robert-red-tolbert/3953
—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

As an AWAN, Dennis flew as SS2 on Crew 11 in 1988.  In 1989 as AW2 he flew as SS1 on Crew 10 and worked in Safety/NATOPS and Tactics.

Dennis Bodnar, 52, of Rogersville passed away Thursday, September 17, 2020. Dennis was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

A visitation celebrating Mr. Bodnar’s life will be held Sunday, September 20th at Rogersville Funeral Home from 3 – 5 p.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 26th at 2 p.m. in Romine Cemetery.

Visit https://www.rogersvillefh.com/obituaries/Dennis-Bodnar?obId=18381809#/celebrationWall  to share memories with Mr. Bodnar’s family.
—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

NCC Carl F. Corrao USN (Ret)served in VP-4 from 1984 to 1987 as an AO3 flying with Crew 7 in 1985.

Notice of his death was posted at https://www.family-funeral.com/obituaries/carl-frank-corrao.

His brother, Andrew, left a note about Carl losing his battle with Pancreatic Cancer on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NavyChiefOwned/

Carl’s profile on Navy Together We Served can be seen at https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=Profile&type=Person&ID=470979.

Carl Frank Corrao, 55, of Pace, Florida passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 10, 1965 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Salvatore and Albena Corrao.

Carl graduated from Pius XI High School and then enlisted into the United States Navy, where he met his soulmate and love of his life, Melissa. He retired from the Navy after a very happy and rewarding career.

Carl was preceded in death by his father, Salvatore Corrao.

Carl is survived by his wife Melissa; son, Justin Corrao; daughter, Courtney Corrao; mother, Albena Corrao; brother, Andrew (Tina) Corrao and Al (Brandi) Corrao; nieces, Niki (Kyle) Braden and Rachel (Justin) Pankonin; nephews, Darren Corrao, Joey Corrao and Jacob Corrao. Also his Fur Babies, Jo, Loki, Hartley and Cooper.

He will always be our guiding light….
​
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 12:00 – 2:00 pm at Family-Funeral & Cremation, 5627 North Davis Hwy., Pensacola, Florida 32503. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, with full Military Honors.

John Humfleet, VP-4 63 – 66, found this sad news and passed it to me. 

The funeral home obituary says he retired as a Chief Petty Officer but the newspaper obituary does not mention what rank he attained.  His headstone in the Fort Sill National Cemetery shows him as AO1.  If anyone maintained contact with Don and can confirm that he made Chief, please let me know.

Donald Lewis West, of Chickasha, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 84.  He was born in Tabler, Oklahoma to Robert Lewis and Mildred Alva (Gilpatrick) West.
Don lived in Chickasha most his life and enlisted in the Navy right after graduating from Chickasha High School.  He traveled all over the world with the Navy and returned to Chickasha upon retirement after 20 years and at the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Don then became a student and employee at the Canadian Valley Vo-Tech in Chickasha immediately after his Navy service.  His job increased as the school grew, including maintenance and bus driving.  He retired from the school as the Maintenance Supervisor after 20 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
Don is survived by his son, Serge West and his wife, Lisa, and grandchildren and great grandchildren, Christopher, Cory, Wyatt, Colby and Brenda; his daughter Monica Wilson and grandchildren Cassidy Dearinger and Ashley Korsvold and  husband Josh and two great grandchildren; and daughter Sunny.
https://www.sevierfuneralhome.com/obituary/don-west

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Donald West Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.
Donald Lewis West, of Chickasha, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 84. He was born in Tabler, Oklahoma to Robert Lewis and Mildred Alva (Gilpatrick) West.
Don lived in Chickasha all his life. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years worked at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha for over 20 years as the maintenance supervisor.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
Don is survived by his son, Serge West and his wife, Lisa; Daughters: Monica and Sunny
Grandchildren: Christopher, Cory, Wyatt, Colby and Brenda.
Condolences may be made to the family at https://www.sevierfuneralhome.com/guestbook/don-west .
Published on October 28, 2019
https://obituaries.chickashanews.com/obituary/donald-west-1077653748

—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com

When I sent out the notice of the passing of Lefty Nordhill, my email to Edwin Anderson bounced.  I found out that he had passed away last May. 

In 1958, Edwin Anderson was a LTJG flying with Crew 3 and performing ground duties as the Schedules Officer.  In 1960 he  was the PPC of Crew 11 and served as the Assistant Administration Officer.  He was promoted to Rear Admiral in Nov 1984 and retired in Jan 1987.

Allen-Beyer Funeral Home Obituary

Edwin was born on January 13, 1936 and passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Edwin was a resident of Florida at the time of passing.

https://www.beyerfuneral.net/obituary/Edwin-Anderson
No record of any services or burial could be found.  The only newspaper reference located was a Legal Notice to creditors about claims against his estate which was published in the Key West Weekly News on June 13th and 20th 2019.  If anyone has any more details about his burial, please let me know.

—
Larry HamesAVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com (503) 688-9804

Lefty Nordhill flew as PP2P on Crew 12 and has ground duties as Personnel Officer in 1960.  In 1961 he was the PPC of Crew 12 and served as the Flight Officer in the Operations Department.

CLAUDE HUGH NORDHILL

Captain Claude H. “Lefty” Nordhill, U.S. Navy (ret)was born April 14, 1930, in Spokane, WA and passed away March 28, 2020, in Las Vegas. He played basketball and baseball at Willamette University before entering the US Navy in 1952 as an Aviation Cadet. Over his 30-year career, he amassed over 7,000 flight hours, served as a patrol plane commander, flight instructor, saw combat in Vietnam, for which his squadron earned the Presidential Unit Citation, and flew the ski-equipped C-130 in Antarctica. He commanded the Navy’s Antarctic squadron, VXE-6, and the Naval Support Force Antarctica, Task Force 199. Mount Nordhill, on the Antarctic Peninsula, is named in his honor. Other assignments included USS Ranger, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Naval War College as a Professor of Strategy and Policy, and Commander in Chief Pacific. Upon retirement in 1981, he taught and coached at Lutheran High School in La Verne, CA. He had a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Washington and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. He moved to Las Vegas in 1993. He enjoyed golfing in the Men’s Golf Club in Sun City Summerlin and was a board member and president of the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club. His wife preceded him in death. He shared his later years with his companion, Charlotte, who made him feel like the luckiest man in the world. He is survived by his son Jim Nordhill, daughter-in-law Alisa, and grandchildren Clay, Adrienne, Matthew, and Lance.
https://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=claude-h-nordhill-lefty&pid=195872234

Jay Holderman served as a Flight Engineer in the squadron as an AMH1.

March 28, 1972 – March 28, 2020
Vernon Jay Holderman, 48, of Windham, NH passed away in his home on Saturday, March 28, 2020.
Jay was born on March 28, 1972 in Portsmouth, NH to Arlyda (Brown) and Vernon Horace Holderman. He was raised in North Hampton, graduated from Winnacunnet High School, and earned his bachelor of science degree in Accounting. Jay served in the United States Navy for over 21 years before retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He had worked as a Flight Engineer P-3 Orion with over 4000 flight hours, flew operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his retirement, he went on to work as a Contract Administrator for the Defense Contract Management Agency in Nashua, NH.
He was a wonderful father and loved spending time with his family. In his spare time, Jay enjoyed woodworking, camping, and riding on his motorcycle.
Jay is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Rene (Wedge) Holderman of Windham; his children, Ethan Albert Jay Holderman and Autumn Leigh Holderman of Windham; his siblings, Marlene H. Boutin of Candia, NH, Douglas J. Holderman of Preston, CT, Connie Holderman Wentworth of Chesapeake, VA, Lynn Holderman Dow of Nottingham, NH; sixteen nieces and nephews; and ten great-nieces and great-nephews.
Jay was predeceased by his mother, Arlyda.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.
https://www.carrierfuneralhome.com/obituary/vernon-jay-holderman

ADJ2 Rudy B. Dingman VP-4 1966 – 1969

Rudy Dingman served as the Aft Observer on Crew 2 in 1967 while an ADJ3 and was the Crew 10 FE/PC during the 1968-1969 deployment as an ADJ2.  He was a regular attendee at our reunions.

Rudy Dingman, Oakesdale resident, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at his home following a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 75. He was born February 18, 1945, in Denver, Colorado to Theodore and Vonceile Eoff Dingman. He grew up in the mountains west of Denver where there was always plenty of snow. They enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing ,and hiking. Rudy loved the outdoors. He graduated from the Idaho Springs High School in Idaho Springs, CO, and attended one year of college at Southwest Missouri State and two years at Red Rocks Community College in Denver. As a young man, Rudy was very proud to donate his blood three times per year. In 1965 Rudy joined the United States Navy and was assigned to a patrol squadron. As an aircrewman and flight engineer, he flew into Vietnam and just about everywhere else in the Far East. He often said his Navy experience turned out to be one of the best experiences of his life. After being honorably discharged from the Navy Rudy married his sweetheart and had two great kids. These were the other great experiences of his life!

Rudy married Karen Shrader of Idaho Springs, Colorado on April 10, 1975. They made their home in the Denver area where Rudy had a long career (1970-2000) with the United States Postal Service. He was the shop foreman in the Denver Vehicle Maintenance facility. Over the years he had organized several truck rodeos for the postal service. Later he transferred to Claims & Accident Investigation and was assigned as the lead accident investigator for the Colorado and Wyoming region. In addition to his exemplary service in the military Rudy received numerous awards and citations during his career in the postal service. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Patrol Squadron Four military organization. He worked for the City of Englewood, Colorado from 2001 until retiring in 2012. Rudy loved baseball, yard work, working on cars, traveling, and most of all he enjoyed watching his grandkids at their games and functions. He and Karen moved to Oakesdale in 2016 to be closer to family. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Karen, at their home; two children, Jacob (Sonia) Dingman and Sara (Marcio) Correia; his grandchildren, Tanner, Madison, Garrett, Emily, Tyler, and Sam Dingman, Nandee, Isaiah, Niah, Addae, and Micah Correia; the Shrader family whom he loved dearly, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Theodore. The family suggests memorial gifts in Rudy’s memory be made to the Kindred Hospice of Pullman and/or American Cancer Society. An on-line guest book is at https://www.bruningfuneralhome.com/obituary/rudy-dingman

Bob served in VP-4 from 1973-75 as a YN2 in Admin and Training.  He also served in Patrol Wing One in Naha, Okinawa from 1967-70, VP-6 1975-76, the Pentagon (ASW Program and Ocean Surveillance (OP-095) 1976-80 and VP-1 1980-83

Robert Lee Anderson, 72, of Candler, lost his battle with cancer on Friday, December 20, 2019, at Pisgah Manor in Candler. He was born in 1947 in Chicago, IL, the son of Lee William and Gertrude Angela (Lukow) Anderson.

Bob grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and became a die-hard Cubs fan, as anyone who knew him can attest to it. He attended West Leyden High School until he enlisted in the Navy in 1964. Hearing him talk about his Navy years, you just knew it was the favorite time of his life, making many friendships that have lasted through the years. He was stationed in many places, including Memphis, TN; Omaha, NB; and the Pentagon, as well as two stints in Hawaii. He retired from the Navy in 1987, and moved to Asheville, saying he’d done his 22 years, 8 months, and 18 days of service, and that was enough.

Through these “retirement” years, Bob found employment at St. Joseph’s Hospital and was there through the transition to Mission Hospital. He managed the hospital’s print shop and was known to all as “Print Shop Bob,” the guy to go to when you needed a job done right and done fast. He finally retired from the hospital in 2015, after 28 years of faithful service.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Lee & Gert Anderson; and is survived by his wife of 24 years, Valerie (Ward) Anderson; his brother, William Anderson of Plainfield, IL; sisters Arlene Leedom of Pahrump, NV; Karen Karlovitz of Bloomingdale, IL; Gail Fox of Gilbert, AZ; and Diane Minnie of Palatine, IL; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Morris Funeral & Cremation Care, 304 Merrimon Ave., on Saturday, January 18, 2020, with Rev. Kelly Crissman officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery, 27 Oleta Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Pisgah Manor and commend them for the excellent care they gave Bob during his last few months. Their kindness and compassion made a hard time much easier and will never be forgotten.

https://www.morrisfamilycaregroup.com/obituaries/Robert-Anderson-115/#!/Obituary

In 1972, Rick McBride was an AW3 flying on Crew 7 as the Sensor 3 Operator.
Richard Dennis McBride entered peacefully into rest in Hayward, California on March 8, 2020. He was 69 years old.

Born June 4, 1950, in California to parents Elizabeth and Richard McBride, Richard worked as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service for over 35 years. He is survived by his wife Vhannie and many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation for Richard will be held from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Grissom’s Chapel & Mortuary.  Services will take place at 11:00 AM  also at Grissom’s Chapel & Mortuary 267 E. Lewelling Blvd. San Lorenzo Ca. 94580
https://www.grissomsmortuary.com/obituaries/detail/richard-d-mcbride

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

—
Larry Hames
AVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager