LT. COL. LOUIS S. REHR
Lt. Col. Louis S. Rehr, decorated World War II pilot and author of "Marauder Memoir of a B-26 Pilot in Europe in World War II," died at his Makaha home October 20. He was 92.
Rehr, a squadron commander of the 456th Bombardment Squadron, 323rd Bombardment Group, flew 60 missions over France and Germany. He earned 12 air medals and five battle stars and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses. For his role in the liberation of France from 1944 to 1945, the French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre and recently appointed him a "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor -- France's highest honor.
"Lou taught me serenity under fire, dignity amidst chaos and warmth in camaraderie," says Frank Burgmeier, his lead navigator. "He was an exceptional being."
Rehr enjoyed a lifelong love of airplanes and flying. Following World War II, he ferried aircraft from South Florida to buyers in Brazil. In addition to corporate and airline flying, he taught thousands of pilots to fly before his retirement at age 80 in New Jersey, where he was a flight instructor and Designated FAA Examiner.
As a sailplane pilot, Rehr holds one of the first international Gold Badges in the sport of soaring, He won two national soaring championships in 1958 and 1968.
Rehr spent many years surfing in waters off Florida and on yearly visits to Makaha Beach before moving to Hawaii in 1999.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Rehr is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, 1938, and Washington and Lee University, 1942.
He is survived by his wife and coauthor, Carleton; sister Judy Dunning of Vero Beach, FL; son Robert S. Rehr of Shalimar, FL; daughter Tasha Rifkin Connolly of Bloomfield, NJ; and three grandchildren.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
LT. COL. LOUIS S. REHR
Lt. Col. Louis S. Rehr, decorated World War II pilot and author of "Marauder Memoir of a B-26 Pilot in Europe in World War II," died at his Makaha home October 20. He was 92.
Rehr, a squadron commander of the 456th Bombardment Squadron, 323rd Bombardment Group, flew 60 missions over France and Germany. He earned 12 air medals and five battle stars and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses. For his role in the liberation of France from 1944 to 1945, the French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre and recently appointed him a "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor -- France's highest honor.
"Lou taught me serenity under fire, dignity amidst chaos and warmth in camaraderie," says Frank Burgmeier, his lead navigator. "He was an exceptional being."
Rehr enjoyed a lifelong love of airplanes and flying. Following World War II, he ferried aircraft from South Florida to buyers in Brazil. In addition to corporate and airline flying, he taught thousands of pilots to fly before his retirement at age 80 in New Jersey, where he was a flight instructor and Designated FAA Examiner.
As a sailplane pilot, Rehr holds one of the first international Gold Badges in the sport of soaring, He won two national soaring championships in 1958 and 1968.
Rehr spent many years surfing in waters off Florida and on yearly visits to Makaha Beach before moving to Hawaii in 1999.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Rehr is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, 1938, and Washington and Lee University, 1942.
He is survived by his wife and coauthor, Carleton; sister Judy Dunning of Vero Beach, FL; son Robert S. Rehr of Shalimar, FL; daughter Tasha Rifkin Connolly of Bloomfield, NJ; and three grandchildren.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
