BITHER RODNEY D

COL Rodney "Rod" D. Bither was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/24/2015 at the age of 80.4
Mesa, AZ
Flight Class 63-1OFW
Date of Birth 08/16/1935
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 174 AHC in 66-67, 161 AHC in 67, 325 AVN DET in 69-70
Call signs in Vietnam SHARK 6, SCORPION 6, VOLUNTEER 6
This information was provided by Cliff Brunsting

More detail on this person: Bither, Col. Rodney D. Sr. (US Army Ret.), age 80, died Wednesday, December 24, 2015 at Banner Desert Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Bither; three children: Rodney Bither, Jr.; Cynthia Goodwin and Steven Bither; two grandchildren: Jason Bither and Elizabeth Goodwin; one sister: Judy Drouin; two brothers: Ted Wing and Bobby Wing; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was born in Houlton, Maine, where he spent much of his childhood. After joining the Army in 1952, serving nine years in the enlisted ranks, he became an Officer, graduating at the top of his Class from Officer Candidate School. He served for 38 years, including two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot as well as a tour in Africa performing geological surveys. Later in his career, he had the opportunity to fly the Apache Helicopter and was the Army's representative for the acquisition of the Apache in Mesa. He was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, GA. After retiring from the Army in 1990, he spent 10 years as a Project Manager helping deliver Apache training devices for The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona. His time as an Army Aviator led to a lifetime love of flying. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed spending time on the links with his golf buddies. Those who knew Rod, even for a brief time, often drew inspiration from his words as well as his deeds. Above all, he was a loving and selfless Husband, Father and Grandfather. Services will be held at a date yet to be determined at Arlington National Cemetery.

Published in The Arizona Republic on Dec. 30, 2015

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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