Delmar G. Worsech, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
November 26, 1933 – June 09, 2007

Delmar Gustave Worsech, 79, Phillips, died June 9, 2007, at his home. He was born Nov. 26, 1933, in the village of Kennan, the son of Gustave and Marie Worsech.

He graduated from Phillips High School in 1952 and was a graduate of UW-River Falls. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from Officers Training School at Lockland AFB and continued on to attend Navigation Flight Training in Harlingen, Texas, where he graduated with honors. While a navigator, he traveled to numerous places in the Pacific. In 1953, he contributed to the support of West Berlin by flying through the Berlin Corridor to re-supply the cut-off region. Unsatisfied with only navigating, he attended Pilot Training and received his pilots’ wings in 1958. As a pilot, he flew through and saw much of the Atlantic and European realms. It was also at this time that he made flights into the civil war-torn Congo to evacuate Belgian and American missionaries. He then went on to study electronics-communications and cryptology at Keesler AFB where he remained to instruct the subjects.

Determined to further his education and using the bootstrap program, he continued on. He attended the University of Mississippi and the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he received his bachelor’s degree in military science in 1963. In 1967, he cross-trained to fly helicopters in preparation for his tour of duty in Vietnam. While deployed, he flew rescue missions deep into enemy-infested jungles to recover downed pilots and others in distress. After Vietnam, he returned to the states where he assumed command of a helicopter rescue unit at Keesler AFB in Mississippi. In 1969, when hurricane Camille hit the gulf coast, it was his unit that responded and provided emergency relief for hurricane victims.

In 1973, after serving his country for 20 years, he retired. Among the many commendations he received were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.

After retiring from the Air Force, he returned home to Wisconsin where he served on the Phillips School District board of directors. He also sat on the board of directors for the Pleasant View Nursing Home, where he was instrumental in implementing plans to establish Duroy Terrace independent living facility. He was also the director of the Price County Achievement Center for a number of years, and he was a proud member of the VFW. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, golfing, fishing and was an avid gardener. He also raised cattle, horses and even raised trout in his backyard pond. He was a staunch conservationist, taking care to preserve his woodlands in their natural state. One of his passions was his apple orchard, in which he took great pride. He enjoyed sharing these and other past times with his family and friends, always eager to teach.

He is survived by his wife Joyce; by three daughters: Tara Belle, Jeanne Worsech, and Cathy (Don) Kaschner; by seven grandchildren: Adam (Robin) Grapa, Melissa Belle, Jessica (Jake) Kopecky, Kelly Kaschner, Michael Kaschner, Robert Kaschner and Bethany Worsech; by two great-grandchildren, Autumn Worsech-Belle and Dean Kopecky; by two brothers, Terry (Debbie) Worsech, and Mark (Joy) Bader and by two sisters, Laurene (Danny) Bader, and Carol (Jerry) Gebhardt. He was preceded in death by his parents.

At the request of the deceased, a small service was held June 13 at the family home.

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Burial information: Kennan Cemetery, Kennan, WI Major Worsech served in the Vietnam War as a HH-43F pilot with Det. 11, 38^th ARRS in the 1968-time frame.