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John A Veylupek, 85

John A Veylupek (Lt. Col, USAF Retired), age 85, entered into rest Dec. 16, 2017. John was born on Dec. 31, 1931, in Omaha, Neb., to John and Rose (Slegle) Veylupek.

He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1954, and entered the United States Air Force. From 1956 through 1959, his squadron made the first deliveries of materials to build the South Pole and other Antarctic stations in preparation for the International Geophysical Year. He also delivered supplies to build the North Pole station, dubbed T-3 International by the Navy. John flew extensively on all seven continents, supported U2 overflights of Russia from northern Pakistan, supplied the downrange missile RADAR cities in the Southern Atlantic, rescued Belgians from the Congo, supplied the Radar stations in Northern Greenland, flew couriers and mail throughout most of Europe and a goodly number of countries in Africa and Asia.

He served in the Atlas and BOMARC missile programs as Operations Officer. He was then selected as Commandant of Cadets at the University of Hawaii, teaching senior management courses and was elected as chairman of the Arts and Sciences committee. He finished his MBA studies there after having attended classes at a USC extension. He flew RECON during the Vietnam War and taught at the on-base University of Maryland extension. Jon was a Ham Radio operator; he operated two military Amateur Radio Stations (MARS), passing traffic from Vietnam to stateside families. John retired from the United States Air Force in 1977 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1991, he and his wife Mary bought property in the Chilco, Idaho area and built and operated Rimrock Golf Course for 10 years.

John is survived by his loving wife, Mary; four sons, John, and wife Amy, in Lancaster, Pa., Alex, and wife Kris, in Sacramento, Calif., Charles, in Solvang, Calif and Jacob, in New York; one daughter, Mary Chris, and husband Mike, in Rocklin, Calif.; sister, Nadine Stendner; niece, Adrienne, and husband Jason, and their daughter, Abigail, in Chandler, Ariz.; and five grandchildren, Michael, Steven, Jessica, India and Malachi.

John’s final arrangements have been entrusted to Bell Tower Funeral Homes, in Post Falls, Idaho. Private family services will be held at a later date. Please visit John’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.