PODE DEAN A

WO1 Dean A. Pode was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 11/22/2022 at the age of 72.9
Pinckney, MI
Flight Classes 70-3 and 70-1
Date of Birth 12/18/1949
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with ACT/11 ACR in 70-71
Call sign in Vietnam RED 17
This information was provided by Richard Deer

More detail on this person: His Legacy Dean Allen Pode, 72, passed away November 22, 2022. He was born on December 18, 1949, in Mount Clemens, Michigan to Henry Pode and Theresa (Raveau) Pode. Dean married the love of his life, Mary Burg on January 25, 2009, in Howell, Michigan. Dean joined the Army to become a pilot, and immediately after graduation was sent to Vietnam to serve as a UH-1 and AH-1 pilot accruing over 800 combat hours. When he left the Army he joined the Michigan Army National Guard and continued to fly military helicopters until 2009 when he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. Dean started the U of M Survival Flight program in 1983 and was also a flight instructor for the Oakland County Sherriff's Department. All-told Dean flew more than 25,000 flight hours in multiple aircraft. Most recently, he became a member of the Lansing Hangar of Ye Ancient & Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen. Dean was an avid hunter and ran a bear hunting camp in the U.P. for 50 years. He had a phenomenal sense of humor and could make total strangers laugh. He had a tough outer edge, but those who knew him, knew that he was a big softy. Dean was honored to take the Talon Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam Memorial just one month before he passed away. Dean was very well respected and liked by his colleagues. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed. His Family Dean will be missed by his wife, Mary Pode; his children, Todd Martin, Bridget Martin, Gabrielle Martin, Ryan Honne Pode, Shane (Laryssa) Pode, Deanna Pesta; brother, Darrell Pode; grandchildren, Julianna, Gage, Allisen, Ryan, Jacob, and Olivia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Theresa Pode; granddaughter, Brooklyn Sky; and brother Denis Pode. His Farewell Dean's family and friends will gather, Friday, December 2, 2022 from 11:00AM-1:00PM at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Hamburg Chapel. His Community Farewell will follow at 1:00PM. Father Dan Kogut will serve as celebrant. Memorial contributions may be given to family for future designation. Please leave a message of comfort for Dean's family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.

This information was last updated 12/01/2022

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024