BETTINGER FRANCIS D

COL Francis "Frank" D. Bettinger was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/18/2015 at the age of 81.2
Remington, VA
Flight Class 55
Date of Birth 01/25/1934
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 18 AVN in 62-63, 5 AVN in 64-66, HHC/10 CAB in 66
This information was provided by Lisa M. Buckingham (daughter)

More detail on this person: Col. FRANCIS D. BETTINGER "Frank" U.S. Army (Ret.) Of Remington, VA passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 18, 2015, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 81 years old. Born in Dayton, OH, January 25, 1934, Frank graduated from Christian Brother Academy and received his Bachelor's degree from University of Nebraska. Frank served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret with tours in Vietnam as well as stations in Germany and the U.S. Some of those stations included Fort Benning, Ft. Knox, KY, The Pentagon, Huntsville, AL and Fort Monroe, VA. He also graduated from National War College. He was a highly decorated military soldier retiring as a full Colonel. Among his accomplishments, he received numerous medals, some of which included the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. He also attended the Army and General Staff College. However, his most outstanding accomplishment was as father, protector, provider, advisor and friend. Frank was an avid golfer. He competed in several tournaments such as the Congressional Pro-Am and took great pride in shooting a hole-in-one during his time. He loved to box and even played football for Boston College, before enlisting in the Army. An astute business man, after retiring from the Army as a Colonel, he began his public sector career with Hay Corporation. Later he would work for EER, a defense contractor, eventually starting his own company, The Culpeper Veterans Association. Frank was a charitable and philanthropic citizen, supporting his beloved church and organizations such as Catholic Charities, Boys Town, and Fisher House, to name a few. He is remembered for his sharp wit, wonderful sense of humor and a wry smile that usually followed his best jokes. Also a lover of animals, Frank was comforted by his favorite cat, Daisy in his final days. Throughout his life, he would be blessed by a very large collection of horses, dogs, cats and even a black duck, aptly named, Black Duck. The animals were passed off as gifts for his children and grandchildren but it was clear, Frank was truly the one who couldn't turn away an animal in need of a home. Frank provided unselfishly not only for his animal friends and his family but also for his fellow man. The network of treasured friends Frank leaves behind is vast. He is survived by his loving wife, Denise and two daughters, Kathleen Bettinger and Lisa Bettinger-Buckingham, as well as five grandchildren; Jason, Jennifer, Jessica, Joseph and Andrew. A wake will be held for Frank on Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA 22180 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA. Frank will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Condolences sent in the form of flowers to the funeral home for the wake are welcomed, however donations to Frank's favorite charities in his name would be most appreciated. Those charities are: Fisher House, www.fisherhouse.org; Heartland House Hospice, www.heartlandhouse.com Online condolences and fond memories of Frank may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com www.moneyandking.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=174689966#sthash.PlV1hW6M.dp uf

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 05/21/2012

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024


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