Retired USAF Col. Earl R. Van Sickle

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Earl Rosenquist Van Sickle, 89, died July 25, 2014.

Col. Van Sickle was born on Dec. 16, 1924. He was the son of Guy R. Van Sickle and Hilda Alice (Rosenquist) Van Sickle and beloved stepmother Edith Carney Van Sickle, all deceased.

He was married to Eunice Jean Wright on Dec. 18, 1947, in Norwich, Norfolk, England.

He is survived by: his beloved wife, Jean; daughter, Deborah J. Van Sickle-Halbeison of Westminster, Colo.; two sons, Guy R. Van Sickle of Bismarck, and retired USAF Maj. Gen. Paul M. Van Sickle, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three brothers, retired USAF Maj. Gen. Neil D. Van Sickle, Harold R. Van Sickle and Ross W. Van Sickle.

Col. Van Sickle graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in 1946, attended the Air War College and held a master of science degree in international affairs from George Washington University. He also attended the Harvard Graduate Business School Advanced Management Program. During his 23-year Air Force career he served in a variety of staff and command positions throughout the Air Force.

He held flying ratings of command pilot, navigator and radar bombardier. He served in the Strategic Air Command during the Korean, Vietnam and Cold War in England, Germany, Spain, North Africa, Guam and Japan. He was a pilot qualified in 11 different Air Force aircrafts. Most of his thousands of flying hours were achieved as a command pilot flying bomber type aircrafts in the Strategic Air Command from the B-29 through the B-47 and B-52.

After retirement from the Air Force he held positions of account executive for Merrill Lynch, London, England, and Harris Upham, Colorado Springs, Colo.; senior consulting safety engineer for Texas Employers Insurance Association, San Antonio, Texas; and professor for University of Southern California in the Graduate Safety Systems Management and Analysis Program.

He served as president of the then 2,500-member Pikes Peak Chapter of The Retired Officers Association. He is a former member of the East Colorado Springs Rotary Club, Colorado Springs Airport Advisory Board, The U.S. Olympic Planning Committee, Tri-Lakes Care and Share Board, Pikes Peak Hospice volunteer, Prison Fellowship and Stephen Ministry. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Star in the West Lodge, Minot. Col. Van Sickle was a member of Flight 11, the Order of Daedalians, Monument Hill Sertoma and Kiwanis Clubs, National Association of Securities Dealers and Chicago Board of Trade.

Memorial Service: Friday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m., The Church at Woodmoor, 18125 Furrow Road, Monument, Colo.

Graveside Service with full military honors: Friday, Aug. 1, at 11:30 a.m., USAF Academy Cemetery. Services will be officiated by CH Brian Van Sickle, retired USAF colonel, and CH Robert Browning, retired USAF colonel.

Reception to follow graveside burial at the Eisenhower Golf Course.

Memorials may be made to Flight 11, The Order of Daedalians Scholarship Fund and/or to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care.