On his way to becoming a dentist, Harvey Kimsey found his true calling — flying jet planes. After completing pilot training in Mississippi in 1955, Harvey began his career in Flying F-100’s at Hahn AFB, Germany. During his career, he served a tour in Vietnam, flying close air support and advising the Vietnamese Air Force. Later, he flew F-100’s and F-4E’s with the 613th and later as Ops Officer for the 352nd TFS at Torrejon AB, Spain.
He also was selected for a tour as an exchange student with the RAF Staff College in Bracknell, England. In 1977, he retired as director of operations for the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson, AFB. Soon after, he began his second career with Northrop Corporation. He worked in foreign military sales and offset trade, including assignments in Zurich, Switzerland, and Madrid, Spain, which he truly enjoyed.
Harvey Lee Kimsey, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on March 19, 2017.
We only recently learned that SSS member Harvey Lee Kimsey, Col, USAF (Ret), 84, of Pinehurst, passed away peacefully at the FirstHealth Hospice House on Sunday, March 19, 2017, and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, January 26, 2018
Harvey was born in Douglas County, KS, to the late Hollis and Helen Hastings Kimsey, and grew up in Colony, KS., a small town he always referred to as “Resume Speed”. On his way to becoming a dentist, he found his true calling — flying jet planes. After completing pilot training in Mississippi in 1955, Harvey began his career in Flying F-100’s at Hahn AFB, Germany. During his career, he served a tour in Vietnam, flying close air support and advising the Vietnamese Air Force. Later, he flew F-100’s and F-4E’s with the 613th and later as Ops Officer for the 352nd TFS at Torrejon AB, Spain.
He also was selected for a tour as an exchange student with the RAF Staff College in Bracknell, England. In 1977, he retired as director of operations for the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson, AFB. Soon after, he began his second career with Northrop Corporation. He worked in foreign military sales and offset trade, including assignments in Zurich, Switzerland, and Madrid, Spain, which he truly enjoyed. In 1999, Harvey retired again and moved to Pinehurst, where he enjoyed being a member of the Tin Whistles, Pinehurst Country Club and the Drones golfing group.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother; and his beloved dogs: Dumplin, Schatzi, Annie and Truffles.
Harvey is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his sons, Harvey and wife, Cathy Lee, of Cambridge, Mass., and Steven, of Olympia, Washington, grandsons, Ethan, and Elliot Kimsey; nieces Hillary Rives and Hannah Hooper; grand-niece, Meadows Hooper; grand-nephew, Levi Rives.
