More detail on this person: Light fixed-wing,
pipeline patrol, accident while taking low level
pictures of suspected pipeline problem.
We lost another of our number today. Eldon Ideus,
while on a monthly pipeline patrol in central
Oklahoma, went down and didn't make it. Another
of the pilots and Eldon's wife Renee are enroute.
Eldon flew this one route every month (4 days, 40
hours) for the sheer enjoyment of flying. He
would tell me that this is the first time since
the 15th MED in 1966 that he didn't have to
babysit and could just enjoy flying. I should
know, he was my last CO in RVN, and was a good
sitter. We started flying together again about 5
or 6 years ago, me for a living - him for fun.
This was a little while after he retired from the
Army as a full bird. We enjoyed many flights,
quite a few reunions, and more than a few
marguartias at the Dustoff reunions. When I know
more details, I'll pass them on. If anyone knows
where newby Newsome, Larry Peterson, Tommy
Holmes, Jim Gregory, Bob Padilla or also the 498th
hands, please pass this on. He was very much my
friend, very much part of me and he will be
missed.
From: Dave Bennett DUSTOFF 61
Bill Perkins, who was a Dustoff pilot with the
498th sent me a message to put me in touch with
you when he learned of the death of my husband.
Eldon H. Ideus, retired Colonel, U.S. Army, was
killed in a single engine plane crash in Norman,
OK on January 21, 2003. He was flying natural gas
pipeline inspection routes for Texas Aerial
Inspections, Inc. at the time. He very much loved
flying and contracted with the company to fly
these routes in Oklahoma on a monthly basis. He
was an exemplary pilot, and I flew with him
several times on these routes. His attention to
detail was remarkable and he was dedicated to
safety, very well respected for his skill. The
report isn't official, but we think that he was
circling a potential problem where some digging
had taken place on or near the pipeline to take a
picture as he typically did on his routes. At some
point in the second circle, an unofficial report
is that he slowed to take a photograph and a wind
sheer might have slowed the plane to the point of
stalling the engine. Eldon was at just under 200
feet, typical for this type of work, and didn't
have enough altitude to pull out of the stall. The
unofficial report is he was trying to land that
plane and almost pulled it out. He died of head
injuries shortly after the plane went down. I was
notified of the accident and drove to Norman
Regional Hospital, from Denton, TX, too late to be
by his side when he died, but our love will endure
our parting. Eldon was a Medevac pilot serving two
tours in Vietnam and commanding 3250 medical
troops in Desert Storm. He had two Purple Hearts
and earned many other commendations. He joined
the Army National Guard in 1959 and retired in
1994. He subsequently was a director of operations
for AMR, a national ambulance company--still
committed to saving lives. He and I had just moved
into a house we were refurbishing in Roanoke, TX
just three days before he died. We had moved to
Roanoke following his retirement from AMR, so that
he could be near the small regional airport where
he flew four or five days out of each month. Eldon
and I were married July 1, 2003 in Colorado. I had
the high honor of being by his side for the VHPA
Reunion in Las Vegas a few days later. After
seeing through Eldon's eyes the comradery of
serving with his fellow soldiers, extreme respect
and love for the VHPA and DUSTOFF/Medevac staff
and their families and the many sacrifices made
fills my heart. I was privileged to meet several
of his friends and many others with inspiring,
incredible stories. I wish everyone in the United
States could truly appreciate the courage and
dedication of each and every member of the VHPA.
All Eldon wanted to be was a good soldier in life.
That is what he was. He never drew attention to
himself, but cared passionately about helping
others. He was my joy and I am thankful to have
been by his side for even a brief time. We were
soul mates. I plan to write about Eldon's life and
his work and would appreciate anyone's input who
knew him and worked with him in Vietnam or Desert
Storm. Thank you, Michelle Renee Ideus 328
Cortland Circle Roanoke, TX 76262
eagle5601@aol.com
Subject: My husband Eldon's eulogy
In honor of what would have been my husband's
62nd birthday on Thursday, Feb. 20, I would like
to share with you a eulogy I wrote, which was
delivered by my dear friend--and Eldon's best
friend, Bill Kruse at Eldon's funeral on January
25, 2003 at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Pickrell,
Nebraska. Bill and Eldon met in Vietnam when they
were both serving in the Medevac (Medical
Evacuation) operation in the late 1960s during
Eldon's second tour of duty. Like my marriage to
Eldon, friendship between those two is not
impaired by absence. We carry Eldon's strength
and love in our hearts. And then, we will all meet
again, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are
some very true words about my husband. I hope
you are blessed by them:
My precious husband Eldon taught me that it really
is possible for two people to love each other
unconditionally, as God designed love to be. In
the short time we shared, our hearts entwined. We
quickly became soulmates. Whether we were
refurbishing a house, sharing a plate of food,
visiting Mom in Beatrice, on mission in Guyana,
South America, or flying his beloved pipeline
inspection routes each month in Oklahoma, it was
sheer joy to be by his side and hold his hand.
My favorite compliment from Eldon was when he
said, "You're not only good TO me, you are good
FOR me." Well, the feeling was mutual, for sure.
In the way Eldon lived and died, we can glean some
significant life lessons. These are only a few of
what I call "Eldonisms."
--Always do your best work. It is your signature
on the world.
--Seek opportunities to serve others.
--Dream big.
--Honor God and country.
--Make friends wherever you go.
--Be a good soldier.
--Face adversity with courage and perseverance.
--Believe the best about others and never give up
on anyone.
--Live every day as though it were your last...and
finally;
--Sing a lot, even if you can't carry a tune in a
bucket.
For Eldon, every day was what he called, "Another
GRRRREAT Day!" He was who he was--period.
And I loved him for who he was--a very good
man.
I often told him that he didn't know how good he
was. He would reply, "Oh, I'm just an old turkey."
But I disagreed, for he was my "eagle."
Eldon kept a card by his bed that I had given him.
I caught him re-reading the card several times
with a smile spread across his face. The
sentiments on that card sum up the type of man
Eldon most certainly was...a good man.
Here is what the card says:
"A Good Man is a gift to all who know him. He's as
dependable as the sunrise, because his goodness
springs from inner strength, not outward
circumstances. A Good Man spreads happiness
everywhere he goes, and he leaves everyone feeling
a little better than they did before. He's a
pleasure to be around, an inspiration in good
times and bad, a gift for all seasons. He's a GOOD
MAN."
That was Eldon, plain and simple. The things he
did and the way he lived made him
extraordinary...a very good man and soldier who
has made all the difference in my life. I will
carry the torch for my departed husband and try to
live by his example. My love for him will endure.
God's peace to you all.
He incidentally is also survived by his two
children, Eldon H. Ideus II of Melbourne, FL and
Heather M. Ideus of Grand Prairie, TX and a
grandson, Ryan, of Grand Prairie, TX; his mother,
Margaret Ideus of Beatrice, NE and a sister and
many others in his hometown of Beatrice, NE. The
Ft. Riley, KS colorguard served military gravesite
honors following his funeral at Zion Lutheran
Church in rural Pickrell, NE. Thanks for passing
this on.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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