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Fred E. Lincoln Riverside, CA QCWA # 23880 Chapter 177 |
MAJOR US AIR FORCE WORLD WAR II, KOREA FRED LINCOLN
Passed away on July 14, 2009 of natural causes. He was born on August 16, 1921, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of a local Sheriff and a distant relative of President Abraham Lincoln. Fred was a caring and thoughtful person who always placed the needs of others first. Fred was known for his humor and love of life. He leaves behind scores of friends from his two great passions in life; his military career and his law enforcement career. He joined the Air Force in 1939 and achieved the rank of Major in the United States Air Force, serving as a an Airborne Electronics Countermeasure Officer on a B36 at Fairchild Air Force Base, and a Bombardier Navigator on a B47 at March Air Force Base. His flying career continued after separation in 1964, as he flew small fixed wing pleasure aircraft and worked flying helicopters in the Alaskan Tundra. Fred's stories of his military life were enjoyed by many. Fred and his late wife Edna were the consummate military couple with their travels and elegant dinner parties. Fred joined the Riverside County Sheriff's Department as a Superior Court Bailiff in 1967, subsequently serving as a forensic Identification Technician. He was a dedicated member and supporter of the Sheriff's Department Pistol Team, competing for many years. He completed his law enforcement career with the Sheriff's Department as a CAL ID Fingerprint Examiner, retiring in 1993. Fred was known for taking on challenges, and excelling at whatever he started, which was exemplified in his two careers. Other challenges taken on by Fred included building a custom Bradley vehicle without any help. He also wrote and published a book entitled, "My Story" depicting his military memoirs. He took on an active role at the March Air Force Museum many years ago, volunteering tirelessly up until his passing. He was dedicated to the sacrifices made by military personnel. He also gave many hours of time assuring a proper place in history for the military canine corps
There will be a Memorial Service at March Field Air Museum Published in Press-Enterprise on July 23, 2009