Homer D. Dellinger

Homer D. Dellinger of Richland, Wash., passed away Dec. 27, 2008. He was born June 23, 1921 on a farm near Coldwater, Kan. His mother died shortly after his birth and his father later remarried before moving the family to Dodge City, Kan.

He grew up and attended schools through junior college at Dodge City, including a private pilot license through a school program. He later entered the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program in January 1942. On graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant and won his pilots wings at Luke AFB, Ariz., and he and Ethleen Neidens of Dodge City, Kan., were married in Phoenix, Ariz., all these events occurring on Sept. 29, 1942. This being a major day in his life, especially his marriage to Ethleen, which they celebrated for 62 years.

Subsequently to graduation Dellinger spent two years during World War II in New Guines and the Philipines as a fighter pilot. After the war he was stationed on Panama and France as finance officer, each assignment being a three-year, family-accompanied tour.

In addition to several stateside bases his final assignment was McCord AFB, Tacoma, Wash., where he retired as a lieutenant colonel with 22 years service. Dellinger was a command pilot with a green card instrument retiring and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (W/4dc), the Distinguished Service Medal, among other awards.

After retirement from the Air Force, Dellinger completed a degree in business administration at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma in 1965. He subsequently appointed as director of finance for the city of Richland, Wash., which he occupied for 12 years. He later became a store examiner for the Washington State Auditors Office before final retirement in 1984.

Homer was a member of the Museum of Flight, Seattle, the local chapter of the Washington State Accounts Association, and the Richland Exchange Club. He was a life member of the Military Officers Association of America (MORA), and belonged to the VFW and American Legion.

He is preceded in death by his wife Ethleen of Richland.

Homer is survived by his three sons and two daughters, Roger of Rock Island, Tenn., Randal of Redmond, Wash., Robert "Scott" of Sandpoint, Idaho, Cheryl of Las Vegas, Nev., and Susan Vickers of Sandpoint.

There is a funeral service on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland. This is to be followed by a graveside at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will take place prior to service time starting at 11 a.m.