I failed to mention in our last issue, the retirement of one of our very own, LtGen Sam Cox. Sam and Tammy had a distinguished 38 year career. (That is not a slight to anyone else 🙂) Sam commanded at the squadron, wing, and operations center levels. During his tenure as the 436th Airlift Wing commander at Dover Air Force Base, Del., he deployed to Southwest Asia as deputy director of Mobility Forces supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Shortly after, General Cox was the commandant of cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., responsible for cadet military training and Airmanship education, supervising cadet life activities, and providing support to facilities and logistics for more than 4,000 cadets and 300 Air Force and civilian personnel. General Cox was the commander, 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center), Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He served as the director, Strategy, Policy, Programs, and Logistics (TCJ5/4), USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, Ill. Prior to his current assignment, he was the director, Operations and Plans (TCJ3), USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, Ill.
Still serving in his distinguished career is LtGen Jeff Lofgren. The Lofgren’s are still at HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk VA -- the NATO HQ in the US. They have been extended for another year and Jeff and his staff are busy trying to reform NATO command structure. He was able to meet with current Superintendent, Lt Gen Jay Silveria, for 30 minutes with his nephew, who is considering serving. He also ran into John “Oldman” Sieverling in Bass Pro shop that weekend,
Photo 1984winter17-1
RogerDeemer had the youngest of his 3 children graduate from high school this past June just beforehe and wife (Amanda) celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary.
Ray Meinhart came out for the Army game and was able to visit family. He event witnessed the great game plan of the Army team versus or Falcons, a 21-0 thrashing.
Scott (Der Kaiser) Wilhelm was named Federal Aviation Manager of the Year for 2017 by ICAP (Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy). Congrats to Kaiser!
Rich Call is still living in Anchorage and flying for UPS. He has spent the last 3 years as a sim instructor as well as flying the line but now has gone back to just flying. They, too, have a granddaughter so they spend as much time visiting her down, in Homer, as they can. It's a 5 hour drive or 1:10 in our 172 so that's a no brainer. Rich has also issued an invitation for any 84 to come up and say "hello!" Thanks, Rich
Daryl "Sky" Smith got to hang out with Maj General Dondi Costin (USAFA 86). Dondi is the Air Force Chief Chaplains. Dondi and Daryl were in BSU together at the Zoo. Dondi is doing a great job of caring for the spiritual needs of our troops and showing the importance of spiritual values in forming the character of our force. He also saw Jeff Wesley ( fellow Ali Baba 40 Thief). Jeff is a 737 pilot for Southwest (lives in Tuscon), and was staying over at one of Southwest's newest airports, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. Check out Daryl's online aviation website, www.DoctorAviation.com He also wrote a blog about our entering USAFA 37 years ago. https://www.doctoraviation.com/air-force-academy-class-of-1984-enters-june-23-1980/ I also hear that Casa Bonita is still looking for him and a few more, like John Yelle for cliff jumping nto the pool below even though it was about 35 years ago.
Photo 1984winter17-2
Andy Klein is an international 737 pilot for American at DFW. He became a grandpa for the first time on August 11! His oldest daughter, Jessica, had Magnolia Lynn Beach. (Maggie). Also back flying is the aviator herself, Barb Huggett Walker who is with United. When she is not golfing or doing acro yoga with me, she worksand had a layover in Dallas with Linda Wittman Green (American airlines) and stayed at her newly built luxury yurt. (yes, yurt) Also in the 737 with United and living here in the COS is Bill Anonsen.
Photo 1984winter17-3
Our own Jeff Burum is Running for Congress in CA 26, Ventura County
He is still fighting off Gulf War Illness from the chem and bio weapons with pain management, phlebotomies monthly, and nerve pain blockers. You can support him at www.jeffreyburumforcongress.com
Scott Welker is making an interesting transition. He is the new surgeon for the Bosley center in San Francisco. Yes, he is making a living doing hair restoration surgery. I hear Matt Johnson has him on retainer, just in case, and asked that the Zoomie discounts be in force. Scott says his wife is still tolerating him after 31 years.Their son, Bennett is a Mech Engineer at the Holley Corp. (the carburetor people) in Bowling Green, KY, and daughter Olivia is a 2nd year at Scott's other alma mater, USUHS med school, and an ensign in the USN.
Dan Morgan went from nearly eight years at Boeing Seattle (2006-2014) conducting intensive flight test on the 787 and flight deck design work for the KC-46 replacement tanker, to taking a little well-deserved break.
And with deepest sadness that I must inform you that the beautiful, strongwife of Ron Beck, Janice Susan (McKay) Beck, passed away 2 Aug 17. Janice had been battling an illness for many months, but passed suddenly and expectedly that day. Janice was an active duty USAF flight nurse stationed at Osan AB, ROK whereRon was flying the OV-10A when they met in 1988. They were married in her hometown of Salem, Massachusetts on 14 July 1990. She was the youngest of nine children.
She left the AF when they could not get a joint assignment at McChord AFB, WA. They then went to Moody AFB, GA, and Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ wheretheir first child Eric was born in 1999. We left the active duty, moved to her hometown, Ron entered the AF Reserves at the 706th Fighter Squadron, NAS JRB New Orleans. Ron entered training for Southwest Airlines in Mar 2000, and we eventually moved to our current home near Patrick AFB, FL in 2001. At her urging, they adopted their second son Alex from the Ukraine in 2004, completing their family. Ron, on behalf of the class of 1984, our best wishes for sustained strength, to you and your family.
Thanks for all the support. Don't forget to send in your updates for next issue. If you don't see your name in here, it's your turn! JENS
 |
