Lorenz Wustner
Lorenz F. Wustner (Col., USAF) passed away peacefully on October 25, 2014 of age-related causes in Creswell, Oregon. He was born in Sanish, North Dakota but spent most of his childhood in Plains, Montana. He attended Plains High School, where he excelled in football and basketball, and graduated in 1948. He was also an Eagle Scout. His lifelong adventurous spirit and appreciation for the Rocky Mountains sprang from his youth experiences in Western Montana.
In March 1953, Larry joined the Air Force as an
aviation cadet trainee. Upon completing basic flight school he was commissioned and selected for fighter jet training.
He ultimately mastered the F-84F Thunderjet, F-100D Super Sabre, and F-4E Phantom II aircraft. He was a decorated fighter pilot whose accomplishments include two combat
tours during the Vietnam War (1967-1968 with the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and 1972 as Squadron Commander of the 335th TFS) and a total of 341 aerial missions over North Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (two times), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal (24 times) for bravery and valor while executing various missions during wartime service.
Larry's Air Force career spanned 31 years. He was promoted through the ranks ahead of his contemporaries, and earned the rank of Colonel in early 1974. His last assignment, which commenced in 1978, was to Hill AFB, Utah, as Assistant to the Commander for Quality Assurance. He retired from active duty in July 1984, and then worked as a QA Program Manager for Hercules Aerospace in Magna, UT for another seven years.
Larry earned his Bachelor in Business Administration degree at Gonzaga University in 1969. He was also a graduate of the USAF Air War College.
Larry met and married Lt. Patricia M. Chen in 1955 while stationed at England AFB, Louisiana. They were married for over 51 years, until her death in 2006. They had four children. The family adventures and outdoor activities throughout the years included camping, backpacking, fly-fishing, river rafting, and skiing.
Following retirement, Larry put his "full throttle" enthusiasm into skiing Utah's Wasatch Mountains, backpacking and mountain climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, and fly-fishing the Madison River in Montana. He was a Mountain Host for several seasons at Powder Mountain, and when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to Utah, he volunteered and helped prepare the ski runs for the downhill race events at Snowbasin. He often said that his Olympics experience was one of the highlights of his retirement. He also played golf and was an active member of the Order of Daedalians. Lorenz enjoyed reading about history and war, loved to debate politics and was a gifted storyteller.
The colonel was a brave and dedicated military officer, a demonstrated patriot, and was fortunate enough to have lived his life during a time when being an Air Force aviator was very special indeed. It seems they just don't make 'em like him anymore. His family and friends will miss him dearly but will only need to look up to the "wild blue yonder" for a lifetime of memories.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenz J. and Rubie H. Ward Wustner, his sister Ramona Shiban, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his son, Lorenz J. Wustner (Mary) of Tucson AZ; his daughters, Cynthia A. Wustner of Cottage Grove OR, Karla M. Pattis (Larry) of Creswell OR, and Melissa L. Wustner (Mark Nyman) of Three Forks MT; his grandsons Riley J. Wustner and Jackson P. Wustner of Tucson AZ; and his brothers Alois J. Wustner of Midlothian VA; Michael F. Wustner of Bali, Indonesia; Bertram Wustner of Lolo MT; and Patrick Wustner of St. Paul MN; and many nieces and nephews as well.
Much appreciation to Terry C. Johnson for her companionship and kindness during the last few years of Larry's life.
Interment at the Plains Cemetery.
Lorenz F. Wustner (Col., USAF) passed away peacefully on October 25, 2014 of age-related causes in Creswell, Oregon. He was born in Sanish, North Dakota but spent most of his childhood in Plains, Montana. He attended Plains High School, where he excelled in football and basketball, and graduated in 1948. He was also an Eagle Scout. His lifelong adventurous spirit and appreciation for the Rocky Mountains sprang from his youth experiences in Western Montana.
In March 1953, Larry joined the Air Force as an
aviation cadet trainee. Upon completing basic flight school he was commissioned and selected for fighter jet training.
He ultimately mastered the F-84F Thunderjet, F-100D Super Sabre, and F-4E Phantom II aircraft. He was a decorated fighter pilot whose accomplishments include two combat
tours during the Vietnam War (1967-1968 with the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and 1972 as Squadron Commander of the 335th TFS) and a total of 341 aerial missions over North Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (two times), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal (24 times) for bravery and valor while executing various missions during wartime service.
Larry's Air Force career spanned 31 years. He was promoted through the ranks ahead of his contemporaries, and earned the rank of Colonel in early 1974. His last assignment, which commenced in 1978, was to Hill AFB, Utah, as Assistant to the Commander for Quality Assurance. He retired from active duty in July 1984, and then worked as a QA Program Manager for Hercules Aerospace in Magna, UT for another seven years.
Larry earned his Bachelor in Business Administration degree at Gonzaga University in 1969. He was also a graduate of the USAF Air War College.
Larry met and married Lt. Patricia M. Chen in 1955 while stationed at England AFB, Louisiana. They were married for over 51 years, until her death in 2006. They had four children. The family adventures and outdoor activities throughout the years included camping, backpacking, fly-fishing, river rafting, and skiing.
Following retirement, Larry put his "full throttle" enthusiasm into skiing Utah's Wasatch Mountains, backpacking and mountain climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, and fly-fishing the Madison River in Montana. He was a Mountain Host for several seasons at Powder Mountain, and when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to Utah, he volunteered and helped prepare the ski runs for the downhill race events at Snowbasin. He often said that his Olympics experience was one of the highlights of his retirement. He also played golf and was an active member of the Order of Daedalians. Lorenz enjoyed reading about history and war, loved to debate politics and was a gifted storyteller.
The colonel was a brave and dedicated military officer, a demonstrated patriot, and was fortunate enough to have lived his life during a time when being an Air Force aviator was very special indeed. It seems they just don't make 'em like him anymore. His family and friends will miss him dearly but will only need to look up to the "wild blue yonder" for a lifetime of memories.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenz J. and Rubie H. Ward Wustner, his sister Ramona Shiban, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his son, Lorenz J. Wustner (Mary) of Tucson AZ; his daughters, Cynthia A. Wustner of Cottage Grove OR, Karla M. Pattis (Larry) of Creswell OR, and Melissa L. Wustner (Mark Nyman) of Three Forks MT; his grandsons Riley J. Wustner and Jackson P. Wustner of Tucson AZ; and his brothers Alois J. Wustner of Midlothian VA; Michael F. Wustner of Bali, Indonesia; Bertram Wustner of Lolo MT; and Patrick Wustner of St. Paul MN; and many nieces and nephews as well.
Much appreciation to Terry C. Johnson for her companionship and kindness during the last few years of Larry's life.
Interment at the Plains Cemetery.
Lorenz Wustner
Lorenz F. Wustner (Col., USAF) passed away peacefully on October 25, 2014 of age-related causes in Creswell, Oregon. He was born in Sanish, North Dakota but spent most of his childhood in Plains, Montana. He attended Plains High School, where he excelled in football and basketball, and graduated in 1948. He was also an Eagle Scout. His lifelong adventurous spirit and appreciation for the Rocky Mountains sprang from his youth experiences in Western Montana.
In March 1953, Larry joined the Air Force as an
aviation cadet trainee. Upon completing basic flight school he was commissioned and selected for fighter jet training.
He ultimately mastered the F-84F Thunderjet, F-100D Super Sabre, and F-4E Phantom II aircraft. He was a decorated fighter pilot whose accomplishments include two combat
tours during the Vietnam War (1967-1968 with the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and 1972 as Squadron Commander of the 335th TFS) and a total of 341 aerial missions over North Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (two times), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal (24 times) for bravery and valor while executing various missions during wartime service.
Larry's Air Force career spanned 31 years. He was promoted through the ranks ahead of his contemporaries, and earned the rank of Colonel in early 1974. His last assignment, which commenced in 1978, was to Hill AFB, Utah, as Assistant to the Commander for Quality Assurance. He retired from active duty in July 1984, and then worked as a QA Program Manager for Hercules Aerospace in Magna, UT for another seven years.
Larry earned his Bachelor in Business Administration degree at Gonzaga University in 1969. He was also a graduate of the USAF Air War College.
Larry met and married Lt. Patricia M. Chen in 1955 while stationed at England AFB, Louisiana. They were married for over 51 years, until her death in 2006. They had four children. The family adventures and outdoor activities throughout the years included camping, backpacking, fly-fishing, river rafting, and skiing.
Following retirement, Larry put his "full throttle" enthusiasm into skiing Utah's Wasatch Mountains, backpacking and mountain climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, and fly-fishing the Madison River in Montana. He was a Mountain Host for several seasons at Powder Mountain, and when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to Utah, he volunteered and helped prepare the ski runs for the downhill race events at Snowbasin. He often said that his Olympics experience was one of the highlights of his retirement. He also played golf and was an active member of the Order of Daedalians. Lorenz enjoyed reading about history and war, loved to debate politics and was a gifted storyteller.
The colonel was a brave and dedicated military officer, a demonstrated patriot, and was fortunate enough to have lived his life during a time when being an Air Force aviator was very special indeed. It seems they just don't make 'em like him anymore. His family and friends will miss him dearly but will only need to look up to the "wild blue yonder" for a lifetime of memories.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenz J. and Rubie H. Ward Wustner, his sister Ramona Shiban, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his son, Lorenz J. Wustner (Mary) of Tucson AZ; his daughters, Cynthia A. Wustner of Cottage Grove OR, Karla M. Pattis (Larry) of Creswell OR, and Melissa L. Wustner (Mark Nyman) of Three Forks MT; his grandsons Riley J. Wustner and Jackson P. Wustner of Tucson AZ; and his brothers Alois J. Wustner of Midlothian VA; Michael F. Wustner of Bali, Indonesia; Bertram Wustner of Lolo MT; and Patrick Wustner of St. Paul MN; and many nieces and nephews as well.
Much appreciation to Terry C. Johnson for her companionship and kindness during the last few years of Larry's life.
Interment at the Plains Cemetery.
Lorenz F. Wustner (Col., USAF) passed away peacefully on October 25, 2014 of age-related causes in Creswell, Oregon. He was born in Sanish, North Dakota but spent most of his childhood in Plains, Montana. He attended Plains High School, where he excelled in football and basketball, and graduated in 1948. He was also an Eagle Scout. His lifelong adventurous spirit and appreciation for the Rocky Mountains sprang from his youth experiences in Western Montana.
In March 1953, Larry joined the Air Force as an
aviation cadet trainee. Upon completing basic flight school he was commissioned and selected for fighter jet training.
He ultimately mastered the F-84F Thunderjet, F-100D Super Sabre, and F-4E Phantom II aircraft. He was a decorated fighter pilot whose accomplishments include two combat
tours during the Vietnam War (1967-1968 with the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and 1972 as Squadron Commander of the 335th TFS) and a total of 341 aerial missions over North Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (two times), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal (24 times) for bravery and valor while executing various missions during wartime service.
Larry's Air Force career spanned 31 years. He was promoted through the ranks ahead of his contemporaries, and earned the rank of Colonel in early 1974. His last assignment, which commenced in 1978, was to Hill AFB, Utah, as Assistant to the Commander for Quality Assurance. He retired from active duty in July 1984, and then worked as a QA Program Manager for Hercules Aerospace in Magna, UT for another seven years.
Larry earned his Bachelor in Business Administration degree at Gonzaga University in 1969. He was also a graduate of the USAF Air War College.
Larry met and married Lt. Patricia M. Chen in 1955 while stationed at England AFB, Louisiana. They were married for over 51 years, until her death in 2006. They had four children. The family adventures and outdoor activities throughout the years included camping, backpacking, fly-fishing, river rafting, and skiing.
Following retirement, Larry put his "full throttle" enthusiasm into skiing Utah's Wasatch Mountains, backpacking and mountain climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, and fly-fishing the Madison River in Montana. He was a Mountain Host for several seasons at Powder Mountain, and when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to Utah, he volunteered and helped prepare the ski runs for the downhill race events at Snowbasin. He often said that his Olympics experience was one of the highlights of his retirement. He also played golf and was an active member of the Order of Daedalians. Lorenz enjoyed reading about history and war, loved to debate politics and was a gifted storyteller.
The colonel was a brave and dedicated military officer, a demonstrated patriot, and was fortunate enough to have lived his life during a time when being an Air Force aviator was very special indeed. It seems they just don't make 'em like him anymore. His family and friends will miss him dearly but will only need to look up to the "wild blue yonder" for a lifetime of memories.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenz J. and Rubie H. Ward Wustner, his sister Ramona Shiban, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his son, Lorenz J. Wustner (Mary) of Tucson AZ; his daughters, Cynthia A. Wustner of Cottage Grove OR, Karla M. Pattis (Larry) of Creswell OR, and Melissa L. Wustner (Mark Nyman) of Three Forks MT; his grandsons Riley J. Wustner and Jackson P. Wustner of Tucson AZ; and his brothers Alois J. Wustner of Midlothian VA; Michael F. Wustner of Bali, Indonesia; Bertram Wustner of Lolo MT; and Patrick Wustner of St. Paul MN; and many nieces and nephews as well.
Much appreciation to Terry C. Johnson for her companionship and kindness during the last few years of Larry's life.
Interment at the Plains Cemetery.
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