| USAF Colonel
(Ret) Roderick (Rod) James Hegarty distinguished career included
service as a B-47 Command Pilot taking his last flight September 25,
2003. A service was held at the Saint Paul’s Methodist Church in
Papillion, Nebraska and burial in the Bellevue, Nebraska Cemetery.
The LeMay Flight, Order of Daedalians was Rod’s flight and it was
well represented at the services. The Offutt Honor Guard presented
military honors and as usual were outstanding.
Born in Medford, Massachusetts in 1930, Rod was a 1953 graduate of
the United States Naval Academy where he started his journey of
“keeping the pointy tip of the spear forward and his power dry”.
Rod wanted to fly so he entered the United States Air Force upon
graduation against his Pops (CDR Ray Hegarty [USCG]) wishes.
Entering flight training Rod’s passion for flying came true…covering
28 years of service he was a command pilot qualified in over ten
aircraft frames ranging from trainers, cargo and bombers. Sitting
alert at Pease AFB, running the airfield at Kimpo Air Base, Korea or
contributing to the mission of Strategic Air Command (SAC) he was
always prepared. In addition to flying, Rod was assigned as an
instructor for Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Montgomery
Alabama where he taught tactics. Additionally, Rod had the honor of
instructing at the Royal Air Force, Bracknell, England version of
ACSC. Rod was always a SAC Warrior; he finished his distinguished
SAC career as the Executive to the Director of Chief of
Staff/Personnel at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
Rod was well known around the local area and was a life time member
and contributor to the Rotary Club of Omaha. Rod believed in the
organization of business and professional leaders holding a
membership record of not missing a single meeting until his untimely
illness.
Rod’s real love was the Order of Daedalians fellowship and the
continual mission of promoting and encouraging the younger
generation to explore and learn more about flight. Rod requested
memorials go to the Daedalians Scholarship fund to aid future
aviators.
Survived by wife, Mary Lou; sons, Col Jim Hegarty (USAF) and wife
Kathy, LTC Mike Hegarty (USA) and wife Ann, CDR Mark Hegarty (USN)
and wife Beth, daughters, Cathy and husband Dave Welch, Laurie and
husband Steve White; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
|
