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Today in History – January 17, 1966 – An F-105F Thunderstreak catches fire, the pilot and the photographer onboard eject

January 17, 2021

17 January 1966 – Two crew of a Republic F-105F Thunderchief based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, escaped injury when the engine of the …

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Today in History – January 17, 1966 – An F-105F Thunderstreak catches fire, the pilot and the photographer onboard eject

January 17, 2021

17 January 1966 – Two crew of a Republic F-105F Thunderchief based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, escaped injury when the engine of the …

Read More →

Abbott, Donald L.

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Donald L. Abbott

Preferred Name: Don
Nickname/Call Sign: Turkey Man
Date of Birth: November 23, 1932
Headed West: October 16, 2017
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Maple Rapids, MI
bio-photo-before
Biography
Headed West
Pilot Information
Biography

Born November 23, 1932 to Gerald L. and Bertha M. (Roberts) Abbott of Maple Rapids, he passed away at home on October 16, 2017.
He was inducted into the air force at Ft Wayne, Detroit, he served as a decorated fighter pilot in the US Air Force actively for over 20 years before his retirement in 1977. He was member and sometimes president of many military organizations including the Air Force Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the Military Officers of Foreign Wars, the F86 Fighter Pilots Association, The Super Sabre Society (F100), and the 54F Pilot Training Class. He loved reunions with his flying buddies and managed to keep military time his whole life.

He graduated from Michigan State University with both B.S. and M.S. degrees and served as a Lecturer at the MSU School of Packaging where he taught the Introduction to Packaging Course. He is remembered by his students for his many jokes, examples, and stories in class some of which featured the foibles of his children. He was an avid State fan who enjoyed both basketball and football, but mostly football.
He maintained an extensive network of friends through his involvement in military organizations, the First United Methodist Church of Grand Ledge, many church groups, and the Masonic Lodge of Carson City.

Don was a partner in an equal opportunity kitchen and widely known for his beef barley soup, baked beans, homemade bread, and monster oatmeal cookies which he was always willing to share. He was a gentleman farmer who provided Thanksgiving turkeys each year. He enjoyed quietly entertaining everyone with his jokes and stories. In later life, he printed business cards that read: “Air wars fought, War stories fabricated, Professional packaging faked.” Pleasant, kind, loving, inspiring, warm, and loyal; he championed others and inspired many.

Headed West

Lt. Col Donald L. Abbott, USAF (Ret) Headed West October 16, 2017.

Don was born November 23, 1932, to Gerald L. and Bertha M. (Roberts) Abbott of Maple Rapids.
Don graduated from USAF Pilot training class 54F (1954) and was selected to fly USAF Fighters. He served over 20 years before his retirement in 1977. He was a member and past president of many military organizations including the Air Force Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the Military Officers of Foreign Wars, the F86 Sabre Pilots Association and the Super Sabre Society (F100). He loved reunions with his flying buddies.

Pete (and Jeannie) Sheridan, a pilot classmate:
Don and I along with many others learned to fly in Kinston, NC then went on to the most modern aircraft of that time, aircraft that flew much faster and higher. As long as I knew him, he projected quiet confidence and his sense of humor made him a friend to all. He particularly loved exchanging puns with many of us. He became President of our USAF pilot class 54F, set up class reunions and helped others of us in planning, organizing and managing subsequent reunions. He and Marje were wonderful and supportive friends for many years. We will all miss him, and offer our prayers and love to Marje and the whole Abbott family!
Don graduated from Michigan State University with both B.S. and M.S. degrees and served as a Lecturer at the MSU School of Packaging where he taught the Introduction to Packaging Course. He is remembered by his students for his many jokes, examples, and stories in class some of which featured the foibles of his children. He was an avid State fan who enjoyed both basketball and football, but mostly football.

He maintained an extensive network of friends through his involvement in military organizations, the First United Methodist Church of Grand Ledge, many church groups, and the Masonic Lodge of Carson City.

Don was a partner in an equal opportunity kitchen and widely known for his beef barley soup, baked beans, homemade bread, and monster oatmeal cookies which he was always willing to share. He was a gentleman farmer who provided Thanksgiving turkeys each year. He enjoyed quietly entertaining everyone with his jokes and stories. In later life, he printed business cards that read: “Air wars fought, War stories fabricated, Professional packaging faked.” Pleasant, kind, loving, inspiring, warm, and loyal; he championed others and inspired many.
Don is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years Marjorie A. (Gilger) Abbott; two sons, Dr. Kenneth L. (Shirley) Abbott and Gary S. (Ruth) Abbott, and one daughter Cathleen A. Abbott; two grandsons, Christopher M. Abbott and Stephen M. Abbott; one sister, Lucille Paine; and one brother, Richard Abbott.

He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers Leslie and Rodney and two sisters Paulene Lowe and Doris Abbott.

Pilot Information

Units Assigned

  • 1964 Pilot training class 54F

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

  • F-86
  • F-100

Military & Civilian Education

  • BS Michigan State University
  • MS Michigan State University

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