Norbert Henry RIEGEL Obituary
Washington Missourian, Washington, Missouri
March 3, 2009 (Tuesday)
'Pete' Riegel Dies in California; Flew Combat Missions in Three Wars - A funeral Mass and burial were in Lompoc, Calif., Feb. 22, 2009, with full military honors. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Melva, nee Hoelscher, also formerly of Washington; children, Marsha Meyering of Federal Way, Washington, Cindy Riegel Espinosa and Patty Eads, both of Lompoc, Calif., and a son, Mick Riegel of Oahu. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark, in 1998. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He died at a nursing home where he had resided for about a month. He had been in failing health the past five years, but was able to visit here in 2006. A 1937 graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School, "Pete" worked for the city water department before entering military service in 1942. He retired from the Air Force in 1972, a 31-year veteran of the regular Air Force and a highly decorated pilot. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. Flew Bombers - He flew combat missions in World War II, and in the Korean and Vietnam wars. There is a display dedicated to him at the Washington Historical Society Museum. Drafted June 3, 1942, he was accepted into the air cadet program of the Army Air Corps in World War II. He received his pilot wings in July 1943. "Pete" and his crew trained in the states with the 487th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force, before being sent to England. He flew a B-24 bomber called "Starduster," purchased with war bonds bought by the people of Franklin County. He named his plane "Starduster" because "Stardust" was the first selection that he and his wife-to-be danced to at the old city park dance pavilion. "Pete" and his crew flew out of Lavenham, England. They flew "Starduster" on three combat missions. The plane was shot down over Belgium May 28, 1943, while being flown by another crew. The crew became prisoners of war. Relics of "Starduster" were found in Belgium and sent to the museum in Washington. "Pete" and his crew then were assigned to a B-17. It was named "Classy Chassy." "Pete" completed two tours of duty, completing 48 missions, as a lead pilot and then as a command pilot in World War II. He left the service after World War II and for a period managed Kruel's retail store in Washington and worked for Buescher Wholesale before moving to the Kansas City area to manage a retail store. Then he was called back to duty by the Air Force and flew combat missions during the Korean War (1950-1953). In the Vietnam War he flew chiefly reconnaissance missions in combat zones. Retired in 1972 - "Pete" received numerous decorations, medals and commendations. He retired at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The family had settled in Lompoc in 1961. After retiring, he helped his son operate a service station. He volunteered at La Purisima Parish as CCD coordinator, as an Eucharistic minister and Lecturer for 17 years. Beginning in 1967, the coordinated he Right to Life chapter of Santa Barbara County, giving many lectures at schools and other organizations. In 1976, he received the Pope John XXIII Award and Apostolic Blessing and had the honor of receiving Communion from Pope John XXIII that year. He was a life member of the Order of Daedalion, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and a member of American Legion Post 211 and the Elks Lodge. For 37 years, "Pete" served as reunion coordinator for the Mighty Eighth Air Force 487th Bomb Group. In 1980, he wrote his memoirs for his children, "Papa Pete, The Way It Was." He was the son of Ben and Elizabeth Riegel of Washington and was born July 26, 1918. Elizabeth was a Gold Star Mother, with five sons serving in World War II. Siblings preceding him in death were Olivia Voss, Howard Riegel, Leona Jasper, Corrine Hamer, Eddie Riegel, Alfred Riegel and Bernard Riegel. John Riegel is the lone survivor. He is a resident of Cedarcrest Manor in Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, the historical museum in Washington or a charity of choice.
Washington Missourian, Washington, Missouri
March 3, 2009 (Tuesday)
'Pete' Riegel Dies in California; Flew Combat Missions in Three Wars - A funeral Mass and burial were in Lompoc, Calif., Feb. 22, 2009, with full military honors. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Melva, nee Hoelscher, also formerly of Washington; children, Marsha Meyering of Federal Way, Washington, Cindy Riegel Espinosa and Patty Eads, both of Lompoc, Calif., and a son, Mick Riegel of Oahu. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark, in 1998. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He died at a nursing home where he had resided for about a month. He had been in failing health the past five years, but was able to visit here in 2006. A 1937 graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School, "Pete" worked for the city water department before entering military service in 1942. He retired from the Air Force in 1972, a 31-year veteran of the regular Air Force and a highly decorated pilot. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. Flew Bombers - He flew combat missions in World War II, and in the Korean and Vietnam wars. There is a display dedicated to him at the Washington Historical Society Museum. Drafted June 3, 1942, he was accepted into the air cadet program of the Army Air Corps in World War II. He received his pilot wings in July 1943. "Pete" and his crew trained in the states with the 487th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force, before being sent to England. He flew a B-24 bomber called "Starduster," purchased with war bonds bought by the people of Franklin County. He named his plane "Starduster" because "Stardust" was the first selection that he and his wife-to-be danced to at the old city park dance pavilion. "Pete" and his crew flew out of Lavenham, England. They flew "Starduster" on three combat missions. The plane was shot down over Belgium May 28, 1943, while being flown by another crew. The crew became prisoners of war. Relics of "Starduster" were found in Belgium and sent to the museum in Washington. "Pete" and his crew then were assigned to a B-17. It was named "Classy Chassy." "Pete" completed two tours of duty, completing 48 missions, as a lead pilot and then as a command pilot in World War II. He left the service after World War II and for a period managed Kruel's retail store in Washington and worked for Buescher Wholesale before moving to the Kansas City area to manage a retail store. Then he was called back to duty by the Air Force and flew combat missions during the Korean War (1950-1953). In the Vietnam War he flew chiefly reconnaissance missions in combat zones. Retired in 1972 - "Pete" received numerous decorations, medals and commendations. He retired at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The family had settled in Lompoc in 1961. After retiring, he helped his son operate a service station. He volunteered at La Purisima Parish as CCD coordinator, as an Eucharistic minister and Lecturer for 17 years. Beginning in 1967, the coordinated he Right to Life chapter of Santa Barbara County, giving many lectures at schools and other organizations. In 1976, he received the Pope John XXIII Award and Apostolic Blessing and had the honor of receiving Communion from Pope John XXIII that year. He was a life member of the Order of Daedalion, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and a member of American Legion Post 211 and the Elks Lodge. For 37 years, "Pete" served as reunion coordinator for the Mighty Eighth Air Force 487th Bomb Group. In 1980, he wrote his memoirs for his children, "Papa Pete, The Way It Was." He was the son of Ben and Elizabeth Riegel of Washington and was born July 26, 1918. Elizabeth was a Gold Star Mother, with five sons serving in World War II. Siblings preceding him in death were Olivia Voss, Howard Riegel, Leona Jasper, Corrine Hamer, Eddie Riegel, Alfred Riegel and Bernard Riegel. John Riegel is the lone survivor. He is a resident of Cedarcrest Manor in Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, the historical museum in Washington or a charity of choice.
Norbert Henry RIEGEL Obituary
Washington Missourian, Washington, Missouri
March 3, 2009 (Tuesday)
'Pete' Riegel Dies in California; Flew Combat Missions in Three Wars - A funeral Mass and burial were in Lompoc, Calif., Feb. 22, 2009, with full military honors. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Melva, nee Hoelscher, also formerly of Washington; children, Marsha Meyering of Federal Way, Washington, Cindy Riegel Espinosa and Patty Eads, both of Lompoc, Calif., and a son, Mick Riegel of Oahu. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark, in 1998. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He died at a nursing home where he had resided for about a month. He had been in failing health the past five years, but was able to visit here in 2006. A 1937 graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School, "Pete" worked for the city water department before entering military service in 1942. He retired from the Air Force in 1972, a 31-year veteran of the regular Air Force and a highly decorated pilot. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. Flew Bombers - He flew combat missions in World War II, and in the Korean and Vietnam wars. There is a display dedicated to him at the Washington Historical Society Museum. Drafted June 3, 1942, he was accepted into the air cadet program of the Army Air Corps in World War II. He received his pilot wings in July 1943. "Pete" and his crew trained in the states with the 487th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force, before being sent to England. He flew a B-24 bomber called "Starduster," purchased with war bonds bought by the people of Franklin County. He named his plane "Starduster" because "Stardust" was the first selection that he and his wife-to-be danced to at the old city park dance pavilion. "Pete" and his crew flew out of Lavenham, England. They flew "Starduster" on three combat missions. The plane was shot down over Belgium May 28, 1943, while being flown by another crew. The crew became prisoners of war. Relics of "Starduster" were found in Belgium and sent to the museum in Washington. "Pete" and his crew then were assigned to a B-17. It was named "Classy Chassy." "Pete" completed two tours of duty, completing 48 missions, as a lead pilot and then as a command pilot in World War II. He left the service after World War II and for a period managed Kruel's retail store in Washington and worked for Buescher Wholesale before moving to the Kansas City area to manage a retail store. Then he was called back to duty by the Air Force and flew combat missions during the Korean War (1950-1953). In the Vietnam War he flew chiefly reconnaissance missions in combat zones. Retired in 1972 - "Pete" received numerous decorations, medals and commendations. He retired at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The family had settled in Lompoc in 1961. After retiring, he helped his son operate a service station. He volunteered at La Purisima Parish as CCD coordinator, as an Eucharistic minister and Lecturer for 17 years. Beginning in 1967, the coordinated he Right to Life chapter of Santa Barbara County, giving many lectures at schools and other organizations. In 1976, he received the Pope John XXIII Award and Apostolic Blessing and had the honor of receiving Communion from Pope John XXIII that year. He was a life member of the Order of Daedalion, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and a member of American Legion Post 211 and the Elks Lodge. For 37 years, "Pete" served as reunion coordinator for the Mighty Eighth Air Force 487th Bomb Group. In 1980, he wrote his memoirs for his children, "Papa Pete, The Way It Was." He was the son of Ben and Elizabeth Riegel of Washington and was born July 26, 1918. Elizabeth was a Gold Star Mother, with five sons serving in World War II. Siblings preceding him in death were Olivia Voss, Howard Riegel, Leona Jasper, Corrine Hamer, Eddie Riegel, Alfred Riegel and Bernard Riegel. John Riegel is the lone survivor. He is a resident of Cedarcrest Manor in Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, the historical museum in Washington or a charity of choice.
Washington Missourian, Washington, Missouri
March 3, 2009 (Tuesday)
'Pete' Riegel Dies in California; Flew Combat Missions in Three Wars - A funeral Mass and burial were in Lompoc, Calif., Feb. 22, 2009, with full military honors. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Melva, nee Hoelscher, also formerly of Washington; children, Marsha Meyering of Federal Way, Washington, Cindy Riegel Espinosa and Patty Eads, both of Lompoc, Calif., and a son, Mick Riegel of Oahu. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark, in 1998. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He died at a nursing home where he had resided for about a month. He had been in failing health the past five years, but was able to visit here in 2006. A 1937 graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School, "Pete" worked for the city water department before entering military service in 1942. He retired from the Air Force in 1972, a 31-year veteran of the regular Air Force and a highly decorated pilot. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. Flew Bombers - He flew combat missions in World War II, and in the Korean and Vietnam wars. There is a display dedicated to him at the Washington Historical Society Museum. Drafted June 3, 1942, he was accepted into the air cadet program of the Army Air Corps in World War II. He received his pilot wings in July 1943. "Pete" and his crew trained in the states with the 487th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force, before being sent to England. He flew a B-24 bomber called "Starduster," purchased with war bonds bought by the people of Franklin County. He named his plane "Starduster" because "Stardust" was the first selection that he and his wife-to-be danced to at the old city park dance pavilion. "Pete" and his crew flew out of Lavenham, England. They flew "Starduster" on three combat missions. The plane was shot down over Belgium May 28, 1943, while being flown by another crew. The crew became prisoners of war. Relics of "Starduster" were found in Belgium and sent to the museum in Washington. "Pete" and his crew then were assigned to a B-17. It was named "Classy Chassy." "Pete" completed two tours of duty, completing 48 missions, as a lead pilot and then as a command pilot in World War II. He left the service after World War II and for a period managed Kruel's retail store in Washington and worked for Buescher Wholesale before moving to the Kansas City area to manage a retail store. Then he was called back to duty by the Air Force and flew combat missions during the Korean War (1950-1953). In the Vietnam War he flew chiefly reconnaissance missions in combat zones. Retired in 1972 - "Pete" received numerous decorations, medals and commendations. He retired at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The family had settled in Lompoc in 1961. After retiring, he helped his son operate a service station. He volunteered at La Purisima Parish as CCD coordinator, as an Eucharistic minister and Lecturer for 17 years. Beginning in 1967, the coordinated he Right to Life chapter of Santa Barbara County, giving many lectures at schools and other organizations. In 1976, he received the Pope John XXIII Award and Apostolic Blessing and had the honor of receiving Communion from Pope John XXIII that year. He was a life member of the Order of Daedalion, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and a member of American Legion Post 211 and the Elks Lodge. For 37 years, "Pete" served as reunion coordinator for the Mighty Eighth Air Force 487th Bomb Group. In 1980, he wrote his memoirs for his children, "Papa Pete, The Way It Was." He was the son of Ben and Elizabeth Riegel of Washington and was born July 26, 1918. Elizabeth was a Gold Star Mother, with five sons serving in World War II. Siblings preceding him in death were Olivia Voss, Howard Riegel, Leona Jasper, Corrine Hamer, Eddie Riegel, Alfred Riegel and Bernard Riegel. John Riegel is the lone survivor. He is a resident of Cedarcrest Manor in Washington. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, the historical museum in Washington or a charity of choice.
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