COL. (Ret.) H.D. Buck Allshouse, 12/17/2007

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H. D.B. Allshouse
Col. (Ret.) H.D. Buck Allshouse, age 84, passed away on December 17, 2007 after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. He is predeceased by his mother Elsie J. Allshouse, his father Herman H. Allshouse, his brother Gary Allshouse, his sisters Verna Brooks and Minnie Allshouse, and his wife of 51 years, Rita Mae "Sweeta" Allshouse. He is survived by his four children: daughter Carol J. McDougall and husband Thomas J. McDougall of Friendswood, Texas; son J.D. Bucky Allshouse and wife Cynthia Van Voorhis Allshouse of Houston, Texas; son John H. Allshouse, and daughter Linda R. Allshouse, both of San Antonio, Texas. His six grandchildren, Kimberly McDougall Koehn (age 29), Michael J. McDougall (age 27), Lindsey Allshouse (age 17), Chance Christopher Allshouse (age 8), Chandler Van Voorhis Allshouse (age 8), and Channing Dale Allshouse (age 8), will forever benefit not only from the love that they received from their beloved "Pap Pap", but also from being in the presence of a man of such great honor and integrity. Extended family in Ohio includes brother-in-law Tommy Hoffman and wife Libby Hoffman, Dianne Touchberry and husband Tommy, Patsy Haddix and her husband Rick; and niece Bonnie Gurzenda and her husband Wally of Somerset, Pennsylvania, niece Jan Barnett, niece Kitty Crosby and nephew Gary Crosby, sister-in-law Irma Lee Bibby. He also leaves behind many friends including Clare Trabun, his loving companion of seven years of Spokane, Washington and her beautiful family: Steve Trabun and his wife Dana and their children, Kayla, Taylor, Lindsay; and Mike Trabun and his wife Christy and their children, Matt and Brian. He enlisted in the Army in December of 1942 and was a ball turret gunner with the 331st Sqd 94th Bomb Group 8th Air Force out of Bury St. Edmonds, England. He flew 35 dangerous missions on the B-17 "Stormy Weather" during World War II. Upon his return from the war, he enrolled in Dusquesne University and received his degree in Commerce and Foreign Trade and was a distinguished military graduate and received his regular commission as a 2/Lt. in the United States Air Force in August of 1949. Buck was an outstanding military officer and leader. In addition to flying as a ball turret gunner in World War II, he flew 39 missions in the Korean Crisis in an F84E with the 429th Fighter Squadron in Kunsan, Korea and flew 174 missions during the Vietnam war flying O-1 Birddogs. In addition, he served as the Squadron Commander of Instrument Pilot Instructor School at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, and the Wing Commander of the 3636 Combat Crew Training Wing (Survival) at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. His skill and expertise as a fighter pilot were of the highest order. He faced danger and death many times in all three wars, repeatedly demonstrating courage, bravery, and the unique ability to lead others in circumstances that only those who have fought and survived war know. He never failed to answer the call to defend and protect the country he loved with honor, pride and courage. Buck's prowess as a fighter pilot and a true warrior are legendary, and we, his family, are proud of his extraordinary service to our country. Initial visitation will be on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas. SERVICE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007 2:00 P.M. RANDOLPH AFB CHAPEL ONE SAN ANTONIO A private family interment ceremony with full military honors will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The honorary pallbearers are J.D. Bucky Allshouse, John H. Allshouse, Michael J. McDougall, Chance Christopher Allshouse, Lt. Col. Thomas J. McDougall (Ret.), Corey Koehn, Lt. Col. Ronald Julius (Ret.), Steve Trabun, Mike Trabun, Louis Nelson, Col. Gary Spohn (Ret.), Col. James Ramsey (Ret.), Lt. General Johnny Johnston (Ret.), Thomas Hoffman and Gene Smith. The family recognizes with gratitude the expert medical care and genuine concern shown by Dr. Martin and Dr. McDermott, nurses Jon and Mark, and Chaplain James Combs, and the entire critical care team at BAMC Intensive Care Unit. Our special thanks to Chaplain, Col. Steve Sill (Ret.) for the support and comfort which he has given to our family. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at http://www.porterloring.com/ Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.Published in the Express-News on 12/19/2007.

Obituary: Kindhearted Allshouse flew missions in three wars

Web Posted: 12/19/2007 10:40 PM CST
Nancy MartinezExpress-News

Even the mailman cried.

Retired Air Force Col. H.D. Buck Allshouse was a courageous leader and fighter pilot who flew in hundreds of dangerous missions during three wars. He was proud, but humble.
Garbage collectors knew that an ice chest of soft drinks would be waiting for them each day at his Northeast Side home. Allshouse made sure to speak to the mailman each day, and this week, when the mailman found out that Allshouse had died, he stood in the front yard and wept.
Allshouse died Monday at 84 after a brief illness.

He was dedicated to his family. Each day that Allshouse was at war, he wrote a letter to his wife and each child.

When his sons were on the high school football team and Allshouse was serving in Vietnam, he drove in hostile territory to another base to retrieve film of the games that were mailed to him.
"He was a very successful and dedicated military officer, but his ability to show kindness and love for everyone he met is what he was known for. He never met a person that he didn't talk to or smile at," said Allshouse's son John.

Allshouse enlisted in the Army in 1942 and flew as a ball turret gunner in World War II. He flew missions in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He also served as the squadron commander of the instrument pilot instructor school at Randolph AFB and the wing commander at Fairchild AFB, Washington.

Allshouse, known as "Pap Pap" to his grandchildren, also had a sense of humor.
He once wrote, "I enjoyed every one of the 32 years, 10 months, nine hours, 24 minutes and eight seconds of duty, and I would still be there if it were still possible, but doing Desert Storm via the living room TV wasn't all that bad."

In an online guestbook, Jack Bibby of Dawson, Penn., said his Uncle Buck had a "heart made of gold."

"If it was not for Aunt Rita and Uncle Buck, we would not have had a Christmas when we were kids. Don't think that we forgot because we did not," Bibby wrote. "Our hearts are with you."
nmartinez@express-news.net