~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, BO/RW/NWA Capt. Austin B. Bates
July 11, 1937 ~ August 13, 2018
Word has been received with the passing of decorated military
veteran retired Bonanza/Hughes Airwest/NWA pilot Captain Austin Brewster Bates,
age 81. Captain Bates has dealt with many health issues this past year as
related to his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Please see information below for more of
his military service.
To view the obituary online please visit the funeral home
website at
Graveside services for Captain Bates will be held at National
Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on September 4th at 0930, 23029 North Cave Creek
Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024... (480) 513-3600.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary.............Col. Austin Brewster Bates
Ketchum, ID - Col. Austin Brewster Bates flew west on Aug 13,
2018 in his beloved town of Ketchum, Idaho surrounded by the mountains where he
skied for most of his life. His passing was peaceful and elegant, like the way
he lived. Austin fought Parkinson's disease as the brave warrior he was, never
complaining, consistently sweet and loving. His positive attitude, dedication to
his country, his love for people and animals were felt by all who knew
him.
Austin was born in Akron, Ohio on July 11, 1937 to Margaret
and Paul Bates. He moved to Arizona in 1942 with his parents and three sisters,
Maggie, Dorothy and Sandra.
He obtained his BS in Technology-Aeronautics from ASU, 1959.
He graduated Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA in 1959;
Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL in 1960, Communist Guerrilla Warfare School
in 1961, Marine Corp Base Officer School in 1962; Naval flight instructor 1963;
USAF Command and Control Technician, 1967; USAF Command and Staff Course
graduate, 1976; USAF Air War College Volume I & II graduate, 1981. He also
earned his Masters in Business Management from ASU in 1962.
Austin was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the USMC,
1959. He was assigned as the advisor to the Republic of Vietnam with
unrestricted aviator capacity, and served as Presidential pilot to the
presidential family and province chiefs.
Six years active duty in the Marine Corp., Col. Bates acquired
over 17,000 hours of flying time, never declining a mission, with a total of 240
missions during the Vietnam War. Following his active duty in 1965, Col. Bates
transferred to the Air Force Reserve and joined the Arizona Air National Guard
where he served an additional 16 years, for a total of 22 years of service to
the United States of America.
Decorations and Awards: Air Medal - Six Oak Leaf Clusters; Air
Force Outstanding Unit - Three Oak Leaf Clusters; Combat Readiness Medal - Three
Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal;
Vietnam Service Medal - One Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon
- Four Oak Leaf Clusters; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Small Arms Expert
Ribbon.
Additionally, Austin was active in the Boy Scouts throughout
his life, and a charter member of the Phoenix Mens Art Council. A former member
of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, he held the office of External Director,
Program Director and Parada Del Sol Rodeo Program Director.
In 1969, Austin began to fly commercially for Bonanza
Airlines, Hughes West, Republic Airlines which eventually became Northwest
Airlines and then Delta, and retired after 33 years at age 60. He continued to
fly his private aircrafts after retiring and enjoyed horses, dogs and cats,
business ventures, fishing, skiing, boating, eating, music and dancing. He was a
true gentleman. He will be deeply missed.
Services will be held at 9:30 am, Tuesday, September 4 at the
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Friends are invited to share a condolence, photo or story and
light a candle at www.woodriverchapel.com
Subject: Captain Austin Bates,
(Bonanza)
----Original Message-----
From: Joanne Tillson
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2018 10:08 PM Subject: Austin Bates
Sad news.
Captain Austin Bates Flew West on August 13, 2018
Arrangements pending. (PHX?)
More information as it comes
in.
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