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Theodore W. 'Ted' Rast Citrus Heights, CA QCWA # 22360 |
Survived by his wife Marcia J. Rast, married 64 years and children Lynda, Ronnie (deceased), Rodger and Larry. Born in American Falls Idaho, his parents immigrated from the German settlement of Alt-Elft near the Black Sea in Russia around 1900.
Entering the Army Air Corp. in 1937, Ted helped establish the RADAR site over Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor Hawaii and received orders and shipped out three months before the attack on Pearl. Ted first achieved a rank of Master Sergeant, after which he was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force and went on to the rank of Lt. Colonel. Ted served as a radio operator in the pacific campaign of WWII in various bombers including B-17s, B-24s and B-29s. He continued to serve in strategic air command on board B-47s and B-52s through the cold war, Korean war, and the early portion of the Vietnam conflict, being stationed at different times in New York, Hawaii, Cuba, Guam, Japan, British Guiana (now Guyana), Florida, Washington, and Sacramento. Ted was awarded numerous service citations during his military career. Retiring in 1964 after 28 years in the USAF, Ted worked for the air proving ground at McClellan AFB in Sacramento on Air Force projects including the F-111, A-10, and others evaluating airborne electronic countermeasures under consideration by the Department of Defense; testing equipment on-board numerous fighters and visiting manufacturers.
Ted (W6SMU) and Marcia (K6DLL) were avid amateur-radio operators (Hams), their homes typically sporting at least one antenna tower nearing 100 in height. Through the radio they kept in contact with friends all over the world. As the emergency coordinator for California Ted with a network of amateur radio operators provided a communications link between civil and government agencies. Ted was also a consummate handy-man: designing his own radio equipment as well as being skilled in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, masonry, equipment repairs and whatever was needed; often inventing as he went along.
Full time travelers after retiring from civil service in 1979, Ted and Marcia made extended visits to New Zealand, as well as traveling to Europe. They took numerous trips with their trailer to both Alaska and Mexico in addition to touring the United States. On these trips they enjoyed dancing, fishing and visiting relatives and friends.
In the last 8 years Ted's declining health kept them home bound, with Marcia close at his side with love and comfort until he drew his last breath on March 6th at 88. Now he rests in peace - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=theodore-w-rast-ted&pid=17006447#sthash.iyUFqeJY.dpuf
Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=theodore-w-rast-ted&pid=17006447#storylink=cpy