More detail on this person: Louis R Switzer SWITZER, Louis R. Died peacefully at age 82 on December 27, 2003 at home in Santa Rosa. Loving husband to Brenda Switzer for 59 years, and beloved father of daughter Anne Brown and husband Les, daughter Rose Barone and husband Nick, and sons John and Richard. Predeceased by daughter Mary. Louis will also be sorely missed by his beloved little dog, Leticia. Born in 1921 in Galena, IL, Louis attended the University of Illinois and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 21. As a pilot in Europe in World War II, Louis flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51s against the Luftwaffe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Air medals. He was also cited in dispatches to 8th Air Force Headquarters for his aggressive and rapid response while in command of a flight of P-51s, when his flight was attacked by a group of captured American aircraft flown by German pilots. Following the war, he was a pioneer helicopter pilot working with inventor Igor Sikorsky and later served in South Vietnam as a military advisor to Vietnamese helicopter squadron, during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star. Louis retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970 with the rank of Major and settled with his wife Brenda and family in Sonoma County, a location which was their favorite out of all their stateside assignments and travels. Louis loved boating, fishing, computers and golf and was particularly proud of his two holes-in-one. The family also wishes to express their gratitude for the care Louis received from Dr. Gary Greensweig, Dr. John Reed and the staff at Memorial Hospice. A private memorial service held at Resurrection Catholic Church with interment at Sebastopol Memorial Lawn. Arrangements are under the direction of EGGEN & LANCE MORTUARY. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Louis' memory to Memorial Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Burial information: Sebastopol Memorial Lawn, Sebastopol, CA
This information was last updated 09/04/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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