Roll Call Tribute

Michael Raymond "Mike" Syptak, Col. USAF (Ret) 

January 15, 1942 - December 20, 2025 

Michael Raymond Syptak, born in Sacramento, California, died Saturday, December 20, 2025, in Williamsburg, Virginia.

A fervent convert to the Roman Catholic faith, Mike was dedicated to serving God, his family, his country, and all whom he encountered. His legacy of faith, which he credited to his mother, and his generosity of time, talent, and riches defined his every interaction, as did his constant good humor, positivity, and joy in everything from live music, to a hike in the woods, to a great meal, to spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

Mike followed in the footsteps of his father, serving 25 years as an officer in the United States Air Force. A distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officers Training program, Mike was commissioned at Texas A&M University in 1963. He flew the F-4C in Vietnam from March 1966 to June 1967, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He went on to serve as an instructor pilot and then as an F-4 aircraft commander and maintenance officer. From June 1974 to May 1975, Mike served as commander of the Technical Assistance Field Team at Shiraz Air Base, Iran - a tour that he remembered with special fondness for the rest of his life. Other assignments include Torrejon Air Force Base in Spain, service as the first commander of the 27 Tactical Air Support Squadron (OV-10) at George Air Force Base in California, and two tours at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with 19 oak leaf clusters, and numerous other honors. Following his retirement in August 1988, he went on to work a full second career as a Division Finance Administrator for the Thomas Jefferson Accelerator Facility for 23 years.

Mike is survived by his companion and best friend, Mary Beth Murphy, his two children and their spouses: Dr. John Michael Syptak and Dr. Debbie Nio Syptak, and Mr. Gautam Ramnath and Mrs. Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath, and his 7 grandchildren : Caitlyn, Samantha, MariElena. Christopher, Sophia, Nicole, and Samuel, and 1 great grandchild : Liliana. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 53 years, Aileen Khoo Syptak.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in St Joan of Arc Catholic Church. A graveside service will be held later in the year at Arlington National Cemetery.