Gerald Pitstick

Gerald Francis Pitstick was born on March 13, 1931 in Yellow Springs, Ohio on a farm delivered by a country doctor. He was the eighth of nine children born to Paul F. and Clare Marie Pitstick. He farmed and milked cows along with his brothers and father as soon as he was old enough to do so. He often talked of having to do the farm chores in the early morning before the school bus picked them up. He and his siblings loved to remember the romps in the woods to pick mushrooms and wild berries.

In his heart he knew that the farm was not to be his future. He was the first one in his family to complete College and receive a degree in Chemistry. Armed with this degree he applied to the Aviation Cadets of the USAF and was accepted for both Navigator and Pilot training. He was in Flight 56H of Pilot training. As a member of the Strategic Air Command he flew the KC-97 refueler, and various multi-engine aircraft. He flew a huge cargo plane he referred to as "the triple nickel" because it had 555 on its tail, which is currently on display at the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Gerald's life course took another turn in that he applied for and was accepted for additional schooling through AFIT. He was sent to Ohio State University where he completed a Master's Degree in Nuclear Chemistry and became a pilot and a scientist for the USAF. His first assignment was an accompanied tour to Yokata AFB, Japan where the family spent three enriching years. Later he was assigned to the Sandia Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM where he became the father of his fourth child. His other three children were teenagers. Gerald retired from Sandia after twenty one years in the USAF.

Again his life path changed in that he really wanted to have his own business and be his own boss. He bought a franchise in a quick printing business which was established in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was a Mama and Papa enterprise that thankfully succeeded, but he realized that everybody that walked in the door was his boss. He eventually sold the business and began his next career.

Gerald became a Junior Air Force ROTC instructor. His first assignment was to Edmond HS in Edmond, Oklahoma. His teaching career took the family to Germany, England and finally Austin, Texas where he opened the program at Westwood HS. When he retired from teaching he enjoyed traveling with his wife and family and just being a homebody.

He was a happy man, even though he was burdened by physical problems he never dwelled on them and instead found joy in his family gatherings and appreciation of Mother Nature. His favorite place was outdoors in the sunshine. He was also considered a wealthy man because he was rich in the love of his family. He had everything he wanted in the blessings of his life which he so appreciated. Gerald loved his home and was comfortable in his bedroom when he died with his wife and daughter by his side on October 1, 2018.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Frank and Clare Marie (Heider) Pitstick; siblings, Carl A. Pitstick, Mary P. Singhoffer, Eugene Pitstick, Irene Oberst, Roger Pitstick. He is survived by his loving wife Beatrice " Betty" Pitstick; siblings, Paul M. Pitstick, Angela Cimprich, George R. Pitstick; children, Gerald M. Pitstick, Mary Anne Keller and husband David, Carolyn Gregg and husband Roy, and Laura L. Romero and husband Marcus; grandchildren, Connor M. Gregg, Ryan C. Gregg, Naomi Romero, Max W. Romero;

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from 5:00PM-9:00PM with a rosary to be recited at 7:00PM at the Schertz Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 9:00AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request donations made to a charity of your choice.

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