OBITUARY OF STERLING PETER BETTINGER, JR.
Sterling Peter Bettinger, Jr., '67, died on Nov. 26, 1996 in Austin, Texas following a lengthy struggle with multiple sclerosis. Pete was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1945 to Brig. Gen. (Ret) and Mrs. Sterling Bettinger. As the son of an Air Force pilot, Pete traveled the world, living in Germany, Greece, Japan and the United States.
After his graduation from the US Air Force Academy in 1967, Pete graduated from flight school and was then stationed in Okinawa, Vietnam (two tours), Thailand, England, Germany, Korea and Italy, as well as Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Washington, D.C. In each of his foreign assignments, Pete learned the language, made friends with the local people, and enjoyed the surrounding areas. He traveled to Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Greece, Egypt, and all the countries and principalities of Western Europe. During his 17-years of active duty, Pete earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, among other decorations.
While stationed in Austin, Texas in 1977, Pete met Francelle Fulwiler. They were married in Seoul, Korea Jan. 4, 1980 and moved to Italy with their children, Michelle and Scott Fulwiler, in June of 1980.
In 1982, Pete began experiencing medical problems and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As his condition deteriorated, Pete said that his one regret in life was that he had never had a child. Nine months later, his daughter Lauren was born, bringing joy to the whole family. Pete was medically retired from the Air Force June 12, 1984 at the Pentagon and the family returned to their home in Austin. His illness became rapidly progressive and Pete lost the ability to move or speak clearly. But Pete never lost his love of life or his sense of humor. Although he spent his last few years in a nursing home, he always had family and friends with him. When others wondered how a jet jock could stand to be so confined and limited by his body, Pete said he hoped he lived to be at least a hundred. He made a life that was acceptable to him just as he was.
He is missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, children and parents, he is survived by a brother, David, and two sisters, Carol Porter and Leigh LaVergne. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 12 N. Meade Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909.
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STERLING BETTINGER GIVEN FLYING CROSS
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, Colorado
December 7, 1972
Capt. Sterling P. Bettinger Jr., son of retired USAF Brigadier General and Mrs. Sterling P. Bettinger, 2460 Scorpio Drive, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial achievement in Southeast Asia.
Capt. Bettinger earned the medal as an RF-4 pilot on a mission during which he obtained photographic coverage of an enemy target despite adverse weather, hazardous terrain and intense ground fire.
The Captain was also awarded his sixth and seventh awards of the Air Medal for sustained flights completed under adverse conditions.
He was honored in ceremonies at Alconbury RAF Station, England, where he now serves with a unit of the US Air Forces in Europe, America's overseas air arm assigned to NATO.
A 1963 graduate of Mascoutah (Ill.) Community High School, Captain Bettinger received his BS degree and commission in 1967 upon graduation from the US Air Force Academy.
Sterling Peter Bettinger, Jr., '67, died on Nov. 26, 1996 in Austin, Texas following a lengthy struggle with multiple sclerosis. Pete was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1945 to Brig. Gen. (Ret) and Mrs. Sterling Bettinger. As the son of an Air Force pilot, Pete traveled the world, living in Germany, Greece, Japan and the United States.
After his graduation from the US Air Force Academy in 1967, Pete graduated from flight school and was then stationed in Okinawa, Vietnam (two tours), Thailand, England, Germany, Korea and Italy, as well as Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Washington, D.C. In each of his foreign assignments, Pete learned the language, made friends with the local people, and enjoyed the surrounding areas. He traveled to Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Greece, Egypt, and all the countries and principalities of Western Europe. During his 17-years of active duty, Pete earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, among other decorations.
While stationed in Austin, Texas in 1977, Pete met Francelle Fulwiler. They were married in Seoul, Korea Jan. 4, 1980 and moved to Italy with their children, Michelle and Scott Fulwiler, in June of 1980.
In 1982, Pete began experiencing medical problems and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As his condition deteriorated, Pete said that his one regret in life was that he had never had a child. Nine months later, his daughter Lauren was born, bringing joy to the whole family. Pete was medically retired from the Air Force June 12, 1984 at the Pentagon and the family returned to their home in Austin. His illness became rapidly progressive and Pete lost the ability to move or speak clearly. But Pete never lost his love of life or his sense of humor. Although he spent his last few years in a nursing home, he always had family and friends with him. When others wondered how a jet jock could stand to be so confined and limited by his body, Pete said he hoped he lived to be at least a hundred. He made a life that was acceptable to him just as he was.
He is missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, children and parents, he is survived by a brother, David, and two sisters, Carol Porter and Leigh LaVergne. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 12 N. Meade Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909.
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STERLING BETTINGER GIVEN FLYING CROSS
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, Colorado
December 7, 1972
Capt. Sterling P. Bettinger Jr., son of retired USAF Brigadier General and Mrs. Sterling P. Bettinger, 2460 Scorpio Drive, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial achievement in Southeast Asia.
Capt. Bettinger earned the medal as an RF-4 pilot on a mission during which he obtained photographic coverage of an enemy target despite adverse weather, hazardous terrain and intense ground fire.
The Captain was also awarded his sixth and seventh awards of the Air Medal for sustained flights completed under adverse conditions.
He was honored in ceremonies at Alconbury RAF Station, England, where he now serves with a unit of the US Air Forces in Europe, America's overseas air arm assigned to NATO.
A 1963 graduate of Mascoutah (Ill.) Community High School, Captain Bettinger received his BS degree and commission in 1967 upon graduation from the US Air Force Academy.
OBITUARY OF STERLING PETER BETTINGER, JR.
Sterling Peter Bettinger, Jr., '67, died on Nov. 26, 1996 in Austin, Texas following a lengthy struggle with multiple sclerosis. Pete was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1945 to Brig. Gen. (Ret) and Mrs. Sterling Bettinger. As the son of an Air Force pilot, Pete traveled the world, living in Germany, Greece, Japan and the United States.
After his graduation from the US Air Force Academy in 1967, Pete graduated from flight school and was then stationed in Okinawa, Vietnam (two tours), Thailand, England, Germany, Korea and Italy, as well as Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Washington, D.C. In each of his foreign assignments, Pete learned the language, made friends with the local people, and enjoyed the surrounding areas. He traveled to Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Greece, Egypt, and all the countries and principalities of Western Europe. During his 17-years of active duty, Pete earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, among other decorations.
While stationed in Austin, Texas in 1977, Pete met Francelle Fulwiler. They were married in Seoul, Korea Jan. 4, 1980 and moved to Italy with their children, Michelle and Scott Fulwiler, in June of 1980.
In 1982, Pete began experiencing medical problems and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As his condition deteriorated, Pete said that his one regret in life was that he had never had a child. Nine months later, his daughter Lauren was born, bringing joy to the whole family. Pete was medically retired from the Air Force June 12, 1984 at the Pentagon and the family returned to their home in Austin. His illness became rapidly progressive and Pete lost the ability to move or speak clearly. But Pete never lost his love of life or his sense of humor. Although he spent his last few years in a nursing home, he always had family and friends with him. When others wondered how a jet jock could stand to be so confined and limited by his body, Pete said he hoped he lived to be at least a hundred. He made a life that was acceptable to him just as he was.
He is missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, children and parents, he is survived by a brother, David, and two sisters, Carol Porter and Leigh LaVergne. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 12 N. Meade Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909.
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STERLING BETTINGER GIVEN FLYING CROSS
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, Colorado
December 7, 1972
Capt. Sterling P. Bettinger Jr., son of retired USAF Brigadier General and Mrs. Sterling P. Bettinger, 2460 Scorpio Drive, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial achievement in Southeast Asia.
Capt. Bettinger earned the medal as an RF-4 pilot on a mission during which he obtained photographic coverage of an enemy target despite adverse weather, hazardous terrain and intense ground fire.
The Captain was also awarded his sixth and seventh awards of the Air Medal for sustained flights completed under adverse conditions.
He was honored in ceremonies at Alconbury RAF Station, England, where he now serves with a unit of the US Air Forces in Europe, America's overseas air arm assigned to NATO.
A 1963 graduate of Mascoutah (Ill.) Community High School, Captain Bettinger received his BS degree and commission in 1967 upon graduation from the US Air Force Academy.
Sterling Peter Bettinger, Jr., '67, died on Nov. 26, 1996 in Austin, Texas following a lengthy struggle with multiple sclerosis. Pete was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1945 to Brig. Gen. (Ret) and Mrs. Sterling Bettinger. As the son of an Air Force pilot, Pete traveled the world, living in Germany, Greece, Japan and the United States.
After his graduation from the US Air Force Academy in 1967, Pete graduated from flight school and was then stationed in Okinawa, Vietnam (two tours), Thailand, England, Germany, Korea and Italy, as well as Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Washington, D.C. In each of his foreign assignments, Pete learned the language, made friends with the local people, and enjoyed the surrounding areas. He traveled to Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Greece, Egypt, and all the countries and principalities of Western Europe. During his 17-years of active duty, Pete earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, among other decorations.
While stationed in Austin, Texas in 1977, Pete met Francelle Fulwiler. They were married in Seoul, Korea Jan. 4, 1980 and moved to Italy with their children, Michelle and Scott Fulwiler, in June of 1980.
In 1982, Pete began experiencing medical problems and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As his condition deteriorated, Pete said that his one regret in life was that he had never had a child. Nine months later, his daughter Lauren was born, bringing joy to the whole family. Pete was medically retired from the Air Force June 12, 1984 at the Pentagon and the family returned to their home in Austin. His illness became rapidly progressive and Pete lost the ability to move or speak clearly. But Pete never lost his love of life or his sense of humor. Although he spent his last few years in a nursing home, he always had family and friends with him. When others wondered how a jet jock could stand to be so confined and limited by his body, Pete said he hoped he lived to be at least a hundred. He made a life that was acceptable to him just as he was.
He is missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, children and parents, he is survived by a brother, David, and two sisters, Carol Porter and Leigh LaVergne. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 12 N. Meade Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909.
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STERLING BETTINGER GIVEN FLYING CROSS
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, Colorado
December 7, 1972
Capt. Sterling P. Bettinger Jr., son of retired USAF Brigadier General and Mrs. Sterling P. Bettinger, 2460 Scorpio Drive, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial achievement in Southeast Asia.
Capt. Bettinger earned the medal as an RF-4 pilot on a mission during which he obtained photographic coverage of an enemy target despite adverse weather, hazardous terrain and intense ground fire.
The Captain was also awarded his sixth and seventh awards of the Air Medal for sustained flights completed under adverse conditions.
He was honored in ceremonies at Alconbury RAF Station, England, where he now serves with a unit of the US Air Forces in Europe, America's overseas air arm assigned to NATO.
A 1963 graduate of Mascoutah (Ill.) Community High School, Captain Bettinger received his BS degree and commission in 1967 upon graduation from the US Air Force Academy.
Inscription
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Class of 1967, Vietnam
