In Memoriam



...In Memoriam...

Col Ralph L. Nobriga 7 July 1922 - 23 July 2002 Colonel Ralph L. Nobriga (CA Ret) passed away on July, 23, 2002, at age 80. Nobriga's military career spanned over 3 decades, beginning with Army basic training in July 1944. He enlisted in the California National Guard in 1949, and received his commission as a 2LT in 1951. Col Nobriga served in the 938^th Combat Support Squadron, Hamilton AFB, California, until 1970. In early 1970, he joined the 129^th Combat Support Squadron, then stationed at Hayward. He remained with the 129^th until his retirement in 1975 as commander of the 129^th Combat Support Squadron. In civilian life, Ralph was a fireman for the City of Oakland for 28 years. Col Nobriga was preceded in death by his first wife, Laura. He is survived by his wife, Wynn, and four children: sons Charles, Larry, and John; and daughter Laura Mendonca. He also leaves a brother, Joseph Nobriga, and sister, Leonora Chapman, in addition to 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Internment was at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC. Col Nobriga was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and several World War II service medals. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| TSgt John E. Horton 30 May 1965 - 7 August 2002 Technical Sergeant John (Johnny Luv) E. Horton was killed in a training accident at Ft. Hunter Liggett, California, on August 7, 2002. He was 37. John entered the US Navy in 1984, and joined the 129^th RQW in 1990. He earned his pararescue qualification in 1994. As a National Champion Skydiver and an expert skydiving cameraman, Horton had over 1500 jumps and 24 hours of freefall time. John was a qualified combat scuba diver, military freefall jumpmaster, senior parachute rigger (AF and FAA), tandem parachute master and examiner, emergency medical technician, pararescue trauma specialist, pararescue team leader, pararescue trainer and certifier, and tactical weapons specialist. He had deployed with the 129^th RQW to Turkey, Kuwait, Uruguay, Iceland, and Spain. John was involved in 20 operational rescue missions resulting in saving the lives of 15 people. John is survived by his father, John Davis Horton; mother, Joann Horton; step-mother, Marilyn Horton; step-father, Billy Robertson; sister, Suzi Romack; nephew, Nicholas Roti; niece, Lindsey Romack; and his fiancée, Kim Avery. Internment was at Oakhill Cemetery, San Jose. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| SMSgt Don Shanks 23 November 1942 - 22 October 2002 SMSgt Don Shanks, 59, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2002, at his home in Meridian, Idaho, of natural causes. Don was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Robert and Lavena McCurdy Shanks. He was raised in Grand Island and graduated from high school in 1961. He always had a love of planes and flying. It was this love that led him to serve his country in the US Air Force for four years. After the Air Force, Don joined the California Air National Guard where he worked as a flight engineer in the 129^th Rescue Wing for 20 years. He was also employed by United Airlines as an aircraft mechanic for 32 years. After Don's retirement from the Guard in 1993, they moved to Meridian, Idaho. Don was an excellent pilot and loved to fly. He was active in scouting and served as leader for his sons' scout troops. He enjoyed woodworking and restoring old cars. Don is survived by his wife of 39 years, Barbara; his two sons, Don (Julie) and Mike (Jackie) Shanks; four granddaughters; two brothers, Larry and Bob Shanks; a sister, Vicky Sok; and several nieces and nephews. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Lt Col Gregory Allan Bose 26 March 1950 - 8 November 2002 Lt Col Gregory Allan Bose, 52, passed away Friday, November 8, 2002, at his home in Challis, Idaho. Greg was born in Oakland, California, to Phillip and Marie Jane Liotta Bose. He was raised in Pleasant Hill and graduated from high school in 1968. Flying was Greg's life. He was a registered instrument pilot and majored in aeronautical engineering. After graduation from San Jose State College, Greg served as officer in the Strategic Air Command and the 129^th Rescue Wing. After his retirement from the Guard in 1992, Greg moved to Dallas, Texas, to attend the Dallas Theological Seminary. He received his Master's Degree in May 2002. Greg relocated to Challis, Idaho, in 1997. He was a member of the Custer County Sheriff's Office, serving as a reserve deputy and radio-electrical technician. He served as Youth Minister for the Challis Mission Bible Church. Working with troubled youth was his passion. Greg is survived by his father, Philip; two sisters, Jan (Jim) Belding, and Elaine Ann Bose; one niece and one nephew. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Col Eugene J. Ignatow 1921 - 2001 Colonel Eugene J. Ignatow (CA Ret) passed away on October 14, 2001, at age 80. Gene’s military career spanned 4 decades, starting with Army basic training in La Junta, Colorado in January 1941. During the war he saw combat in Germany with the 78^th Division. He was discharged as a Master Sergeant in October 1945. He joined the 159^th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard as a Warrant Officer in 1949 and served in that capacity until 1950, when he was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant. In June 1951, he joined the California Air National Guard, starting with the 144^th Air Base Group, then the 129^th Air Resupply and Communications Group, and then back to the 144^th Fighter Wing in Fresno. He remained in the 144^th until he transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1972 where he served as an IMA until his retirement in July 1978. Gene was the founder and president of Gene’s Office Supply, Inc. located in Hayward. His younger son, Steven, is now running the business. Gene’s older son, Bill, is a Colonel at the Office of the Adjutant General, serving as the Director of International Affairs. Gene leaves his wife of 54 years, Merian. A private military service was held at the San Joaquin National Cemetery. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Col Fred H. Petersen 30 August 1924 – 16 October 2002 Col Fred H. Petersen, age 78, passed away on October 16, 2002, in Walnut Creek. Born August 30, 1924, in Novato, Col Petersen served the Unit from its inception in 1948 through 1959 as an intelligence officer. He retired from Pacific Bell with 37 years of service, and was an active member of B.P.O.E 1811. Col Petersen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Lane McVae and grandchildren Bridget, Jillian, and Bryan, all of Maryland; daughter Janet Petersen of Shingle Springs; and sister Carrie M. Norton of Alameda. Services were held October 28, 2002. Final resting place is Oakmont Memorial Park, Lafayette, California. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Lt Col Malcolm B. Campbell 11 October 1916 – 8 May 2004 Mac was orphaned as a young child, and he and his older brother were raised at St. Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael. Mac joined the Marines in 1937 and guarded railroad lines in China. In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps and attended aviation cadet training. Mac became a highly qualified B-29 lead navigator. When recalled during the Korean War, he was assigned to a B-29 Squadron patrolling the West Coast looking for warships and submarines. He came to the 129th Troop Carrier Group in l955 with C-46 aircraft, and retired in 1974. Mac was very professional, an excellent navigator, and very well liked and admired. He led a very active retirement at the Lake of the Pines. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 25 years, his son Tom, his daughter Joan, daughter-in-law Susan, and several grandchildren. Funeral, Military Burial and Memorial were held in Auburn, \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| MSgt Edwin D. McNemar 18 August 1924 – 10 August 2004 Born in Agenda, Kansas, Ed passed away at his home in Fremont, California, just a week shy of his 80th birthday. The family moved to Fremont in 1938, and he has been a resident of Alameda County since that time. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and proudly served aboard the battleship USS. Pennsylvania and, later, the oil tanker USS Kankakee. He ws honorably discharged in late 1946. From 1958 through 1978, Ed was a member of the California Air National Guard in Hayward, where he served as an aircraft maintenance mechanic. Ed was predeceased by his father, Edwin E. McNemar; his mother, Havana McNemar; and his sister, Arlene McNemar Cranor. He is survived by his sister Iris Atkinson of Central Point, Oregon, and several nieces and nephews. Services were held August 19 in Fremont. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Col Raymond John Fitts February 17, 1921 – November 3, 2004 Ray served in World War II as a B-29 instructor pilot. He returned to active duty for the Korean War. He flew 32 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for successfully landing his B-29 with only two of four engines operating and one on fire, saving the crew and plane. After the war he served for over 20 years in the California Air National Guard with the 129th Special Operations Group, Hayward. He retired as a full Colonel. He continued to fly into his 80's. Ray was preceded in death by Mildred, his wife of 54 years. Ray is survived by his current wife of 3 1/2 years Mary Murtagh Fitts; sons, William, Raymond and Russell; daughters-in-law, Barbara, Karen and Janet; grandchildren, Erin, Kelly, Michael, Jennifer, Jessica and Jeffrey; great grandchildren, Noah and Jillian. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| SMSgt Blaine D. Hall August 7, 1923 – October 15, 2004 Blaine enlisted in the Army on March 3, 1942, and was assigned as a member of the original Cadre of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Company B. He was one of very few to have survived a low-level jump when his parachute failed to open from 700 feet. He was a part of the forces that invaded France and suffered injuries during small arms fire with the Germans. Following active duty, and a stint as a cab driver, Blaine joined the California Air National Guard in 1949 in the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing followed by the 129th Special Operations Group and later the Aerospace and Recover Group. He retired on August 7, 1978, after 36 ½ years of faithful service in various capacities most notably as a Superintendent of the Life Support Division in his unit. He leaves behind his loving wife Dorothy, sons Blaine Jr., Kevin and predeceased son Randy, daughter Jeannine, six grandchildren and one great grandson. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| MSgt Donald H Zumsteg March 9, 1932 – November 22, 2004 MSgt Don Zumsteg served as an Aircraft Electrician Technician beginning in Hayward in 1956 when the Unit was still the 144th Fighter Wing. He retired in 1987. Don was preceded in death by his wife. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Lt Col Donald W. Stewart January 26, 1925 – December 13, 2004 Donald W. Stewart, 79, of Oakland died December 13 in his home. Born January 26, 1925 to Floyd Stewart and Anna Barrows Stewart, Don spent most of his life in Berkeley. He attended Berkeley schools, then the University of California, graduating in 1949, and U.C.’s Boalt School of Law, earning a J.D. in 1951. After marrying Berkeley classmate Nancy Haven in 1947, they raised a family only blocks from his childhood home. In retirement, they moved to the Oakland hills. He had many generational ties and deep loyalty to the University of California and to many Cal sports. Since 1932, he attended all but two Big Games until this year. During World War II, Don was a navigator in the 20th Air Force, flying B-29s stationed in Tinian on over-water missions to Japan. He was recalled to serve in the Korean War as a navigator/bombardier in B-26s in the 5th Air Force. Afterwards, he served 17 years in the Air National Guard 129th Special Operations Group, became a squadron navigator, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Don served as assistant counsel at Union Oil Company in San Francisco for 26 years. After retirement, he worked on legislative matters for major oil companies and for years provided pro-bono legal counsel. Don’s interests included travel and family, often incorporating his pursuit of genealogical roots in trips across the United States, and several trips to Western Europe and Russia. He deeply loved the Sierras, taking family vacations to Lake Tahoe and later organizing family backpack trips throughout the mountains of California. With a close friend, he also hiked the length of the John Muir Trail.In recent years, Don served as Librarian for the Society of Mayflower Descendants. He has been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley for over 50 years. Don is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of 57 years; three children, Kent (Patty), Jim, and Anne Wondolowski; four grandchildren, Lauren and Sarah Wondolowski, and Alec and Sara Stewart; brothers David B. Stewart and Allen P. Stewart; and sisters Elizabeth Cunningham Meteer and Jean Stewart. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| MSgt Pastor D. Abelaye 1930 – 2003 MSgt Pastor Dagandagan Abelaye, 73, of Kapolei, passed away November 12, 2003, in Straub Clinic & Hospital. He was born in Pahala, Hawaii. He was an aircraft maintenance Flight Chief in the early 1970s when the Unit was stationed at Hayward. He is survived by wife Merci F. Abelaye, brothers Irenio Abelaye and Ding Abelaye, and sisters Mary Celion and Irene Bareng. Burial was at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| MSgt Robert "Bob" Denham 1934 - 2005 ROBERT "BOB" DENHAM A six-year resident of Tracy, Calif., passed away June 3, 2005, at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, at the age of 71. A former, longtime resident of Fremont, Calif., he was born in San Francisco on April 6, 1934. He retired from Crocker National Bank as Vice President and area market manager, and from the Air National Guard as a Master Sergeant. He attended Grace Baptist Church, and was a 43-year member and 25-year treasurer of Rotary National, with perfect attendance. As a Boy Scout, he was one merit badge shy of Eagle Scout and as a teenager he was a member of Sea Scouts in San Francisco. He loved bowling and watching war movies. He was a varsity swimmer at Mission High in San Francisco, and loved to travel, cook and entertain family and friends. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and a great friend to many. Mr. Denham is survived by his wife of 15 years, Jan Blanchard; his children, Mark Denham of San Francisco, Marian Denham of Fremont and Nichole Winter of Livermore; granddaughter Shari Winter of Livermore; and sister Jeannie Flaherty of Mesa, Ariz. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| SMSgt Paul F. Wilkins 08 December 1948 – 08 November 2005 Paul Frederick Wilkins, a Fremont resident for 35 years, died November 8, 2005, at his home. He was 56. Born December 8, 1948, in Alameda, Paul joined the Air Force in 1971, and after training at Lackland and Lowry, he and wife Becky were sent to Minot, North Dakota where the saying was that “only the best go north.” They returned to California in 1972, where Paul left active duty for the California Air National Guard stationed in Hayward. He joined them as a civil servant in 1974. In 1984 he became an AGR, and remained in that status until his death. Paul had a distinguished career with the Guard and achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in the supply field. He was honored with a 21-gun salute at the time of burial. Paul enjoyed bowling for the ANG and bike riding at Harbor Bay Isle, but his real love was watching baseball games and, later, San Jose Sharks hockey games. He followed the Giants from the time they came to the Bay Area in 1958 and attended all A’s World Series games. He was in the stadium the night of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Paul visited many ballparks, including Fenway Park and Wrigley Field, but his biggest thrill was going to the Baseball Hall of Fame this past May. He and Becky had many wonderful trips to such places as Hawaii, Alaska, Vancouver, a snowy visit to the Grand Canyon, and many enjoyable visits to Portland and the Oregon coast. Paul was truly an old-fashioned gentleman who opened doors and gave up his seat for others. He was a wonderful host and made countless guests comfortable in his home. His kindness will be missed by friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and anyone lucky enough to come near him. Paul is survived by Becky, his wife of 35 years; his daughter, Kareasa, of San Francisco; and his sister, Linda Bramante, of Alameda. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| SMSgt Donald L Delucchi On October 9, 2005, the 129th said goodbye to one of its most supportive members. SMSgt Don Delucchi fought a long, hard battle with cancer, never losing his spirit, despite many setbacks. Don served with the 129th from its inception until his retirement in 1989 in both military and Air Technician status. He was also active in the 129th Alumni and Heritage Association and served on its Board of Directors. A tireless worker, he established the associations Merchandise and Apparel Store know as "Dondi's Mercantile" and devoted many hours to bring it to its present state. He leaves his wife Marg, son Larry, and daughter Donna. Click here for a eulogy by his long time friend Col William E. Ignatow (Ret) \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| \| 129th Honor Roll \| Lt Col Don Franklyn Winters, Sr. 11 November 1932 – 13 September 2006 Don Franklyn Winters, Sr., a benevolent California native of the Monterey Bay area and member of the Monterey Church of Religious Science since he was 19 years old, died at age 73 on September 13, 2006, of heart failure. Born to Ernest Eugene Winters and Alberta Hildegarde Winters (Hunziker) on November 11, 1932, (the day of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration) in Fairfield. During the Depression days and through the era of World War II, he lived in and about Marysville, San Leandro, Fairfield, Alameda, Hayward, Salinas, Prunedale, Dos Palos, Pacific Grove and the Bay Area, etc. He attended Pacific Grove High School. He was the fifth of five siblings. Mr. Winters traveled extensively as a United States Air Force pilot in the Strategic Air Command and retired after 27 years as a Lieutenant Colonel from the California Air National Guard in Hayward, CA. He piloted and was a flight instructor on many airplanes, to include the C-119 "Flying Boxcar" and the C-130. Don was a handyman and automotive mechanic as well. Don and Daphne were married for 30 years and managed many children as foster parents, caring for them at their 201 Central Ave. location. They also assisted travelers, family, and oft times people in need through Monterey County Food Bank, transportation, housing, moral support, and other philanthropic activities over the years. He was a member of the Church of Religious Science for 53 years, serving in many capacities, including as a member of the Board of Trustees. He cherished the time he spent with the church and members of the community, and assisted with maintenance and other invaluable activities, as he was able. He was also a poet and musician, playing several musical instruments as a hobby, the favorite of which was a tenor ukulele. However, nothing eclipsed his wry sense of humor. He was a member of Retired Air Force Association, Retired Air National Guard Association, American Legion, Pacific Grove High School alumni, and many others. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest E. Winters; his mother, Alberta H. Winters Monlux; his sister, Charlotte Winters; brother, Charles A. Winters; sister, Barbara Nelson; his first wife, Lucille D. Winters and his son, Richard R. Winters. Don's survivors include his wife, Daphne Winters of Pacific Grove; sister, Ernestine Paine of Marina; sons: Eric E. Winters in MD, Don F. Winters, Jr. in AZ, Ronald A. Winters of Prunedale, Derek L. Hansen of Seaside, and Todd J. Hansen of Trinity Lake; daughter, Christina D. Hansen-Wynn of Seaside; grandchildren: Justin L. Winters, Jay M. Winters, Derek E. Layton, Kerry J. Layton, Shane R. Winters, Michael J. Winters, Sarah E. Winters, Jacob T. Winters, and Samuel R. Winters; and 17 great grandchildren and foster children. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| *MSgt Tommy Dee Brooks* 5 January 1943 – 5 April 2007 Tommy Dee Brooks was born January 5, 1943 in Peru, Indiana and passed away April 5th, 2007 in Marysville, California. Loving husband to Judy Brooks, and father to Pamela, Angela, Traci, Shannon, Janet, Brian, and Michael. Grandfather of 10 wonderful grandchildren, and son of Norma Brooks. Tommy served in the 129th from 1975 to 1989, and was active in the 129th Alumni and Heritage Association. He organized several fund-raising golf tournaments to benefit the Scholarship Fund. Burial was with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| What Tom Brokaw once referred to as "The Greatest Generation" has lost another of its members. Brig Gen Albert R. Santos February 23, 1918 - May 14 2007 Brigadier General Albert R. Santos was born February 23, 1918, in San Jose, California. He grew up on the family farm in the Santa Clara Valley. He received his first flight instruction in 1939 and soloed in the 35 horsepower Aerocinn Collegiate. Initially drafted, February 1942, into the Army Signal Corps, he transferred to the Army Air Corps and in January 1943, he received his pilot's wings and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. In February 1944 he was sent to 8th Air Force in England where he logged 320 flying hours on 66 combat missions flying a P-51 B "Lois Carolyn" & D "Lois Carolyn II". Returning to the United States in January 1945, his World War II service ended in May 1945. In 1948 he joined the California Air National Guard's P-51 equipped 61st Fighter Wing. When in 1951 the wing, renamed the 144th Fighter Wing, moved from Oakland to its new home at Hayward airport, Gen Santos, now a Major, was its Operations officer. I n 1954 when the Fighter Wing moved to Fresno, he elected to stay at Hayward with the newly formed and C-46 equipped 129th Air Resupply Group. The 129th Air Resupply Group would later be renamed the 129th Special Operations Group. In 1974, he assumed command of the Group and received a promotion to Colonel. Shortly after he assumed his command, the Group's mission was changed to Air Force Rescue and was re-designated as the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group. After seeing the unit through its training and attaining combat-ready status, he was assigned to Headquarters California Air National Guard as Deputy Commander in 1977. He was then promoted to Brigadier General. While with the 129th, General Santos had flown the C-46, HU-16, C-119, U-10 and the HC-130 Rescue Hercules. After thirty-six years of military service, he retired in 1978. During his long and distinguished career, the General had flown twenty-five types of military aircraft, single and multi-engine, land and sea, from piston-powered to turbo-props to jets. In addition to his Command Pilot wings, awarded in 1955, are 21 military decorations received from a grateful nation. Notable among them are the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. At age 89, General Santos passed away on May 14, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Lois; a son, Brad; and a daughter, Carolyn. He was laid to rest with full military honors at the Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto, California. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \| Col Edwin W. Lewis Jr. May 19 1936 - November 8 2007 Col Edwin W. Lewis, Jr., a research pilot at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and director of operations for Civil Air Patrol's Pacific Region, died Thursday November 8, when the CAP Cessna 182 in which he was flying crashed into a mountain outside Las Vegas. He was 71. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Ed was born in New York City and began flight training as a Civil Air Patrol cadet in 1951. He received a bachelor's degree from Hobart College, N.Y., and entered the U.S. Air Force through the ROTC. He served from 1965 through 1966 in Vietnam, where he was a forward air controller, flying more than 1,000 hours in the O-1 "Bird Dog" aircraft. He earned a Bronze Star medal as well as a Distinguished Flying Cross. He then joined Pan American World Airways as a pilot. Col Lewis also served with the California National Guard while working for Pan Am. He retired as commander of the 129th Air Rescue and Recovery Group. He took early retirement from Pan Am in 1989 to join NASA. He flew for eight years at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View and at Dryden since 1997. Lewis had served in the Civil Air Patrol as California Wing commander from 1978 to 1982, Pacific Region commander for four years and was elected national vice commander in August 1993. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and brother John. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Midge Lewis of Castro Valley and sons Eric of Castro Valley and Steve of Los Angeles; sisters-in-law, Beverly Lewis of Utah, Sheila Conway (Jack) of Petaluma and Beverly Borges (Jeff) of Modesto; nieces, Susan Tsutsumi (Paul) of Palos Verdes, Kathy Lococo (Larry) of San Anselmo and four great- nieces and nephew. A Memorial Service was held Saturday, November 17 at Transfiguration Church, Castro Valley. Additionally, A memorial observance in Southern California was held Friday, November 30, at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base. Donations may be made to the CAP Lewis Scholarship Fund, c/o Pacific Region CAP, PO Box 4718, Hayward, CA 94540. \| Back to Top \| Back to Remember When \| 129th Honor Roll \|