Frederick Dasenbrock

FREDERICK EDWARD DASENBROCK

Manchester

Services for Frederick Edward Dasenbrock, 77, of Tyler, Texas, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at First Christian Church, Tyler, with Dr. Chris Pulliam officiating. Burial will occur at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. He passed away Friday, Feb. 5, at his home in Tyler.

Fred was born on April 5, 1938, in Manchester, Iowa, to Roland and Ellen Dasenbrock. He was a talented athlete who excelled in both shot put and discus and earned a college football scholarship. His love for flying small aircraft while a teenager working his father's farm helped him later serve his country as an officer in the Air Force, where he served in Vietnam. He later earned a master's degree and held numerous positions in a notable career in aviation, retiring as a commercial pilot instructor for Northwest Airlines. He was a member of First Christian Church and enjoyed connecting with people. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Rambling Roses Square Dance Club and the Flying Farmers of America.

Fred was an early starter. He was driving tractors at 5 years old and co-piloting airplanes by age 10 with his dad. Fred graduated from Anamosa, Iowa High School in 1956, Montana State University (B.S. in geology) in 1960, attended graduate school at Syracuse University and Iowa State University in 1984 (M.S. in geology). He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1960 and honorably discharged in 1967. He returned to farming in Iowa until 1982 while obtaining additional aircraft ratings and giving flight instruction. He then transitioned to a full-time career in aviation, first with Gallatin Flight Service, then teaching flight training for Beechcraft, Flight Safety International, Lufthansa Flight Training Academy, America West Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Fred also flew corporate aircraft for Holiday Oil and was chief pilot for Cutter Aviation. His most rewarding flying was achieved when doing life flights for Gallatin and Cutter Aviation. Fred loved flying and anything related to aviation.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Ellen; and older sister, Rose Mary.

Fred is survived by his loving family, including wife of 34 years, Sandy; his brother, Bob Dasenbrock; sister, Mary Ellen Eversole; son, Jace Dasenbrock; daughter, Ann Levantovich (Walt); stepsons, Mike Stroup (Lori) and Craig Stroup (Lesa); eight grandchildren, Jaret, Zachary, Liam, Elise, Sarah, Sean, Tygren and Lauren; and honorary granddaughter, Melissa Nelson.

Visitation is scheduled from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, before the service at First Christian Church.

If desired, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701; or Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701; in lieu of flowers.