Author Archives: Chad Derrington

Posted 12 Nov 2006
John Edward Mishan, 91, retired Captain, U.S. Navy, born October 1, 1915, passed away in Honolulu on November 5, 2006.

John Mishan (CO VP4 1955-1957)

He is survived by two daughters, Jody Mishan of Honolulu, and Marlena Greene of New York City.

He graduated from Syracuse University, and received his Navy wings in 1941.

He held the following awards and decorations: Distinguised Flying Cross, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation.

While at the Pentagon in 1972, he earned a Masters in Administration in International Commerce from the George Washington University School of Government and Business Administration.

In his 8-year journey with Alzheimer’s Disease, he remained a hero and a gentleman throughout — strong, good-natured, and courageous.

Services will be held at Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, at 10:30am, Friday, November 17.

For additional information contact: Jody Mishan
Phone: (808) 988-3295
jmishan@hawaii.rr.com

Posted 13 Dec 2006
James P. Hopkins IV Naval Flight Officer

VP-4 1975-1978; VP-17 1985-1987

James P. Hopkins IV, 55, a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander who worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, died at Inova Fairfax Hospital Nov. 28, 2006 after a car accident at Old Keene Mill Road and Tiverton Drive in Springfield, VA.

He was born at Camp Lejeune, N.C Oct. 23, 1951. and grew up in Alexandria and graduated from Edison High School, where he was on the track and cross-country teams. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and for the next 20 years lived all around the world, with stints in Hawaii, Guam, Venezuela, Virginia and Okinawa, Japan, working as a navigator, tactical coordinator and defense intelligence analyst.

After his military retirement in 1993, he taught Naval Junior ROTC at Springbrook High

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Kay Henning Hopkins of Springfield; three children, Joanne Hopkins of Arlington, Jeff Hopkins of Savannah, Ga., and Frank Hopkins of Springfield; his mother, Mary Lee Hopkins of Williamsburg; and a sister, Janet Davis of Herndon.

Interment at Arlington National Cemetery was a touching ceremony and most fitting for Jim, who unselfishly served his country for so many years. With full military honors, his caisson was drawn to the grave site by 6 beautiful black horses led by a marching band accompanied by a rifle platoon. On location, the rifle squad fired the traditional three volleys followed by a bugler playing taps that rivaled Pvt. Robert E. Lee ‘Prew’ Prewitt’s performance in “From Here to Eternity.” The flag folding demonstrated by the pall bearers was indicative of today’s military precision.

His grave site is on the highest point in the location with a panoramic view of many historical monuments. The view was augmented by a deciduous tree that displayed its unique limb configuration against a clear brilliant sky. The temperature was a bit cool when we arrived at the center; however, by the time we were at the grave site the sun was warming everyone with its bright rays, which is how I remember Jim. There was a large crowd representing, neighbors, church members, swim team acquaintances, and of course the VP-4 contingent:Frank & Kathy Leoffler, Randy Goode, Paul Jackson, Gary & Judy Stack, Claude Timmerman, Larry & Ronda Jahnke, Ben Francisco, John Kennedy, Bill Short, and Ted & Wanda Rogers.

In his honor, the FAA named the Final Approach Fix for VOR/DME RWY 4R going into former NAS Barbers Point HPKNS.

There is a condolence book at www.Washingtonpost.com. Kay is looking for stories and remembrances about Jim from his Navy days. The Post will make her a memorial book containing all the stories posted. Please include your remembrances in the condolence book.

Posted 21 Dec 2004
Marquette, Michigan

Captain Arthur King Bennett Jr., United States Navy Retired, died at Marquette General Hospital on 8th December from complications resulting from a fall at his home. He was 83. Marquette born and raised, Art Bennett’s rich and varied career as a naval officer, took him to every continent of the world and every state of the Union. After his retirement from the Navy in 1975, Art returned to Marquette County where he built his home on Conway Lake in Powell Township and resumed his life as an active member of the Marquette and Big Bay communities.

Posted 29 Sep 2006
Dee Combs:

Dee was 64 years old and he passed away working at his business, as the manager of a trailer court. It appears that he had a massive heart attack.

1st Memorial Service will be held in Salem, South Carolina on October 8, 2006. Dee and Linda (Lindsay & Taylor) touched many lives, please inform others from VP-4.

E-Mail: deecombs@bellsouth.net

Posted 25 Sep 2002
Hello,

My name is Donna Young and my ex-husband was assigned to VP4 1980-1986. His name was Stephen J. Facsko, Jr. and he was a Chief. Steve passed away last Sunday, September 22. I would like to let people know of his passing. A funeral service is being planned in the future at Arlington Cemetery (date unknown at this time).

My home e-mail is: you479@aol.com
Home phone: 540-659-5023

Donna Young

Posted 10 Nov 2004

I just wandered onto your site. I would like to report the death of my former husband, John Stephen Ladd. He served in VP-4 from 1961-1964 in Naha and Hawaii. He passed away due to heart complications on Feb. 4, 2004.

I would appreciate having this information added to your site.

Thank you,

Linda Ladd

Hi Bob,
I was reading the last issue of the Airline Pilot magazine. It listed all the pilots who passed away this year. I found that Capt Quentin “Butch” Underkofler,VP-4 from 1971-1974, died in Feb 2001.

So I did some checking and received the following info from Hawaiian Airlines pilot union.

Captain QUENTIN “Butch” UNDERKOFLER, 56, of Aiea, HI, formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Feb. 8, 2001. He is survived by wife, Melinda; daughters, Amy and Abby; mother, Jan; brother, Mark; sisters, Mari Taake and Susan.

Memorial services were held at Aiea United Methodist Church and Sacred Heart Church, Honolulu. Donations may be made to “Quentin Underkofler Scholarship Fund.”

A Personal Note…

Butch was my PPC in 73/74 when I was Crew 2 Tacco. He had previously served a tour in Vietnam flying combat missions in HAL-4. He was an exceptional “stick”, a quiet but effective leader, a great PPC/Mission Commander, and a close friend. It was unique that Butch and I had served tours in Vietnam, we had been stationed at and visited several of the same locations.

Melinda (Mel), his wife, told me that Butch’s ashes were scattered at his two favorite places on Oahu and that a plaque commerating his Naval service is in place at Punchbowl National Cemetary. She plans to teach and stay on Oahu for one more year and then move back to the “mainland” to be closer to her daughters, Amy and Abby. Her address is:

Melinda Underkofler 99-965 Hoio St Aiea HI 96701 808-488-4901

With a saddened heart, I wish my buddy Butch goodby… Our memories together will forever brighten my day….

Bob Zafran

posted 02/15/02

Steve,

I just learned that Charles (Chuck) Gilpin passed away 22 November last and
was buried in Arlington. His wife Betty said that he died from colon cancer that
had metastized in his lungs and liver. He was, however, active to the last and
died in his sleep. Chuck was a highly regarded second tour plane commander
serving in VP-4 from 1959-61. I joined the squadron only a month or so after
Chuck departed but I felt as though I knew him from all the positive stories
related to me.

Please pass this information along to all our shipmates. If anyone would like
to write Betty, her address is P. O. Box 1432, Orange Park, FL 32067.

Regards,

Chuck Doughdrill

08/07/01

From Jim Vannice:

Sorry to inform you that Jim Clampet left this earthly abode at 1830 4,
August, 2001. At present his daughters Dawn and Tina are at the family home
closing things out. They can be reached by e-mail at harvgo@whidbey.net.

08/28/01

From Robert Zafran

Mike Turkington, VP-4, 63-65, sent me this sad news about his son, Scott,
which some of you that were in the squadron then knew as “Scooter”

He was Mike’s only son, born in Bethesda. Became a Ventura County Sheriff for
eight years, a competitive surfer. Married another Deputy, they moved to Utah to
be near her mother. Since he couldn’t surf began mountain bicycle racer, fell
during a race and broke is back. After many operations on his back he ended up
with metal straps, nuts bolts and screws. He was told that he would never be out
of pain. They sent all his records and other Dr. reports to the Mayo clinic, but
they couldn’t help him either. About three weeks ago the operated on his
shoulder, was supposed to be a quick orthoscopic procedure that ended up being a
full intrusion. Found out that he was going to have to have another back
operation that would leave him in a wheel chair. Pain was the real problem, the
doctors used every available pain medication, and nothing worked any more. He
took his own life. Leaving behind a wife two daughters (from a previous
marriage) and one son as well as four sisters. The only thing I can say is he is
finally out of pain. There was a police honor guard from the City of Provo where
he worked as a policeman. A very moving ceremony. Scott was 41 years old.

Mike and Gerry can be reached at <turkpaso@aol.com> 1320 Crown Way Paso
Robles, CA 93446 (805) 227-4510

…A personal note…. Mike has been acting as the VP-4 Association chaplain
for some 8 months. The men and women veterans of VP-4 send our most heartfelt
sympathies for Mike and Gerry’s loss.

Bob Zafran

01/10/01 Bob Herman and Chuck Gilpin report this very sad news today:

Capt. Howard Beesley, 1961-1963, passed away peacefully, in his sleep this
morning after his long struggle with a heart problem.

The funeral service is set for Friday,9 January. Service at 1130, NAS
Pensacola All Faith Chapel and internment at Barrackas 1230. More info to
follow.

Shirley Beesley’s address is:

11735 Chanticleer Dr Pensacola, FL 32507-9171 850-492-1861
A sad loss for us all.. Bob Zafran

08/04/01

it saddens me to report that Edward F Salter ATC USN (Ret) VP-4
1959-1962
passed away due to congestive heart failure on July 2, 2001.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Doris E Salter
520 Wright St
Inverness, FL
34452-5973
(352) 341-5825

10/19/00 Lawrence “Bud” Lester ATCM, USN (Ret) passed away yesterday morning,
after a several year battle with Lymphoma.

Bud was in VP4 from 57 to 60.

Lew Skavlan

10/00 Mrs. Judith Whitt writes: “Thank you for remembering my husband, Glenn H Whitt VP-4 1962-1965, on the mailing list for the next reunion. Unfortunately, I lost my husband from the result of an automobile accident Oct 1999. I’m so thankful he was able to be at the last reunion in Reno, he had a great time.

Wishing the best to you and yours,

Judith Whitt
Bakersfield, CA

Mrs. Lesley Robbins writes of her late husband “Paul H Robbins passed away 11/99. He especially enjoyed his VP-4 tour in Okinawa and Hawaii 1962-1964”

9/00 Mrs. Karen Costle writes: “we received your postcard, but Robert (VP4 1947-1951) was very ill when it came and subsequently passed away on Sunday Sept. 17, 2000. I think if he had been well enough he may have wanted to attend the reunion, but that isn’t to be. He was 80 years old and died peacefully at home with me.”

Posted 24 Sep 2007

Leonard Six

VP-4 Flight Engineer 1975-76

Leonard Charles “Charlie” “Navy Charlie” Six, 63, died Nov. 20, 2005, at his home in Quakertown, Pa. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Cora (Hawthorne) Six.
He retired in 1988 after 29 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy, which included three tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon retiring, he was employed at Carson Helicopter Inc. in Perkasie, Pa., for 10 years.

An avid Harley–Davidson rider, Charlie participated several times in the annual Lacona, N.H., run. He rode from Souderton, Pa., to San Diego, Calif., and back in 2002. On that trip, he rode 1,000 miles in one day across Texas. That was Charlie’s second cross–country trip by motorcycle. He was buried in with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.