More detail on this person: Lt. Col. (Retired) Thomas L. Brink Lt. Col. (Retired) Thomas L.
Brink, of Alexandria, Va., died recently after a short illness. Beloved Son, Father, brother,
friend, was taken from this mortal life much too soon, as this pilot flew to his eternal home on May
12, 2008. He was preceded in death by his father, MSgt. (Retired) Logan E Brink, and his wife, Jana.
He is survived by his mother, Lucy Brink of Girard, Pa; two sons, Thomas L .Brink Jr of York, Pa.
and Brian J Brink of Harrisburg, Pa; two brothers Jim Brink of Erie, Pa. and Timothy Brink of
Fairview, Pa., one sister, Joyce Brink, of Girard, Pa. and five grandchildren, and several nephews
and a niece. Tom was a well rounded person who enjoyed both a good intense discussion, to just
yabba-dabba-doing with his friends at his favorite hangouts. He enjoyed getting away to Aruba to
spending time with family. One thing he always had with him was his accordion, which he would bring
out to add music and fun to any gathering. He was well known for his tropical shirts he always wore.
Tom was born in Ridgway, Pa. on May 24, 1943. Growing up he spent time in Okinawa, attending
Kubasaki High School; Fort Knox Kentucky High School and graduated in 1961 from Ridgway Area
High School in Ridgway, Pa. Immediately after high school, He traveled throughout Europe, driving
truck for the AAFESS system. He entered the US Army in 1963. He completed US Army Preliminary
Helicopter training with the 2nd WOC CO Ft Wolters, Texas. As a CWO, he was stationed in
Kaiserslautern Germany where he was unit instructor pilot and instrument flight examiner. He as also
Pilot-in Command designated to fly VIP flight throughout West Germany. He completed two tours in
Vietnam. The first in 1969 with the A Company, 158th Aviation Battalion Assault Helicopter (Ghost
riders), 101st Airborne Division flying the UH-1Huey. His second tour in 1972, as a 1st Lt. he was
as a combat pilot as well as personal pilot and instructor to designated officers with rank of
General. He received his field commission to Captain. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal with six service stars, and Master Army
Aviator Badge. Following his second tour, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., where as Company
Commander, was responsible for instrument flight instructor and examiner. He completed the US Army
Command and General Staff College and the US Army Officers Advance program. In 1976 he graduated
from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, receiving a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering and an
Aeronautical Science. After being promoted to Major, he was station at Ft. Hood, Texas with the 13th
Aviation Battalion, 6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), 131st Military Intelligence Co. specializing
in the OV-1D Mohawk. From 1981 to 1986 he was station at Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pa. as Commander of
the Muir Army Air Field, Eastern Army Aviation Training Site, 2nd Battalion, 166 Regiment, the
second largest helicopter training facility in the US. From 1987 until his retirement in 1989 was
stationed in Washington, DC flying for the Army National Command Group, Pentagon. Tom retired from
the US Army in 1989 as a Lt. Colonel. In 1989, he started flying with Colgan Air / Pinnacle Air. His
last revenue flight was in May 2003. He was Chief Pilot of Operations for Colgan Air until his death
in May 2008. Tom was an avid reader, musician, and master accordionist. He enjoyed nature, from a
sunset on Presque Isle, to time on his boat, to braving Lake Effect SnowStorms when visiting family
in Erie. But Flying had been his passion ever since childhood. Visitation is from 6-8p.m. on July
23rd at the Everly Wheatly Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302. Burial will
be at 9a.m. on July 24 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials can be
made to Pancreatic Cancer Research at Hirshberg Foundation, 2990 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 300C,
Los Angeles CA 90064; website: www.pancreatic.org or to the John Kanzius Foundation,or John
Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.
From: Erie Times-News (PA) - Friday, July 4, 2008 PA United States
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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