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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Date posted on this site: 11/02/2023
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