Colonel Earl Rosenquist Van Sickle USAF (Ret.)

Colonel Earl Rosenquist Van Sickle, USAF, (Ret), 89, died July 25, 2014. Colonel Van Sickle was born on December 16, 1924. He was the son of Guy R. Van Sickle and Hilda Alice (Rosenquist) Van Sickle, both deceased. Also beloved step-mother Edith Carney Van Sickle.

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

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean; daughter, Deborah J. Van Sickle - Halbeison of Westminster, Colorado; and two sons, Guy R. Van Sickle of Bismarck, North Dakota and Major General Paul M. Van Sickle, USAF (Ret) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He is also survived by three brothers, Major General Neil D. Van Sickle, USAF, (Ret), Harold R. Van Sickle and Ross W. Van Sickle; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Col. Van Sickle graduated from The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 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 thru the B-47and B-52.

After retirement from the Air Force he held positions of Account Executive for Merrill Lynch, London, England and Harris Upham, Colorado Springs, Colorado; 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 2500 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 US 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, North Dakota. Colonel 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, 10:00AM, Friday, August 1, 2014, The Church at Woodmoor, 18125 Furrow Road, Monument, Colorado.

Graveside Service with Full Military Honors, 11:30AM, Friday, August 1, 2014, USAF Academy Cemetery. Services will be officiated by CH Colonel Brian Van Sickle, USAF (Ret) and CH Colonel Robert Browning, USAF (Ret).

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.