Roll Call Tribute

John David Amundson, Col. USAF (Ret) 

January 31, 1935 - April 7, 2025 

John D. Amundson, Sr., Colonel, USAF, Retired passed away on April 7, 2025, at the age of 90, at home in Battle Creek, Michigan.

John is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Ida Ruth (Kramer) Amundson; his brothers, Charles Willis (Edith) Amundson, Benjamin A. (Judy) Amundson, Lawrence Eugene Amundson, Robert Amundson; and his sisters, Mary Gale (Frank) Cunnion, Patricia (Martin) Luren.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret. They were married in Wellington, Kansas, on April 6, 1957. John is lovingly remembered by his children: Julie (Dave) Weighman, John Jr. (Beth) Amundson, Mary (James) Amundson-Brinkman, Lizbeth (Darrell Price) Amundson, and Karen (Steve) Amundson-Gallegos; his grandchildren: Joseph (Emilie) Amundson, Carly Koppit, Johna Robinson, Molly Bouchard, Tina Amundson, John Amundson III, Major Phillip (Janice) Cole, Chelsea (Andrew) Jackman, A. Marie, Kaela Amundson; and his great-grandchildren: Trenton Amundson, Lillian Amundson, Landen Bouchard, Miles Robinson, Levi Robinson, Joe Koppit, Abraham Koppit, Zoe Cole, Henry Cole, Stone Jackman and Samual Jackman.

John was born in Decorah, a small Iowa town, in 1935. He always felt fortunate to have spent his early life there, shaped by its small-town values. At age 13, after his father's death, he and his mom moved to Rochester, Minnesota. There, he adjusted quickly to new friends and a new school system. He was an active student, playing football, running track, and playing in the band.

After graduating high school in 1953, John entered the University of Minnesota, intending to become a veterinarian. His love for animals was pushed aside for his interest in aviation when, in 1955, he joined the US Air Force as an Aviation Cadet and entered pilot training. John rose to become an Air Force Command Pilot. He flew nuclear bombers (B-47s) with tours of duty in Alaska, Guam, England, Spain and North Africa. Later he was a reconnaissance aircraft (U-2) pilot with tours of duty in Alaska, the continental U.S. and Vietnam. He was also assigned temporary duty in Thailand to assist with U-2 operations in Southeast Asia. One of the U-2 aircraft he flew now hangs in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. He flew more than 13,000 hours in 85 types of aircraft. He held numerous staff positions and continued his education while on active duty, earning a bachelor's degree in 1963 from the University of Omaha and a master's in computing science from Texas A&M University in 1971.

Early in 1972, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command Headquarters, holding several supervisory and staff positions in the data processing area. In 1976, he was reassigned to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the highest level of senior officer development, as a student, graduating in 1977. From there, he was assigned to the position of Director of Data Systems at the Defense Logistics Service Center in Battle Creek, Michigan.

John retired from the Air Force in 1980 after twenty-five years of service and transitioned to a civilian career. He returned to aviation, which he missed greatly. John held positions as Chief Pilot and Operations Director with companies in the Kalamazoo area, including Kal-Aero, Bartlett Aviation, and Stryker Corporation. For several years, he was a volunteer pilot for the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, flying WWII fighters and trainers and the Ford Trimotor, also serving as chief pilot. Some of his favorite flying was while performing in airshows in the Museum's Grumman F8F Bearcat as Cat 3 in the Cat Flight. When the Museum discontinued its flight program, he continued as a volunteer in the restoration center, helping to preserve historical aircraft. John's vast knowledge of aviation history enabled him to impart much knowledge to his fellow volunteers as well as to museum visitors while acting as a docent.

John was active in the local aviation community and a friend to many fellow aviators. Over the years, he owned several different aircraft and flew them frequently. As a Certified Flight Instructor, he made himself available to other pilots and helped them improve their skills. He belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association, The Air Force Association, The Military Officers Associations, The National Rifle Association, the Flying Octogenarians, The Society of the Pen and Sword, and the prestigious ye Anciente and Secret Order of the Quiet Birdmen. In 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration honored him with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for his more than 50 years of safe flying. In 2018 he was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. He held numerous military awards, including: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (with three clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal (with Cluster), Air Force Combat Readiness Medal (with cluster), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with Silver Star), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Ribbon (with silver cluster), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

John's love of music carried over from his youth when he played bugle in the Decorah Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps and his high school days when he played sousaphone in a band and orchestra and from his time as a bugler in Aviation Cadets. After many years of musical inactivity, at age 73, he decided to learn to play the euphonium. The last several years have seen him playing in The Hastings Thornapple Wind Band, the Marshall Rotary Band, and the Kellogg Community College Band.

A memorial service and Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 229 Collier Ave., Battle Creek, Michigan, on Monday, April 14, 2025, followed by a military interment ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetery.