David Mott Obituary

Mott
David Phillip
Mott
January 21, 1942
September 10, 2025

Colonel (Ret.) David Phillip Mott, USAF, passed away on September 10, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 83. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota, and Jamestown, North Dakota. He earned a mathematics degree from North Dakota State University, where he met his first wife, Phyllis Heaton, with whom he had two children, Andrea and David. He later earned a master's in business from Auburn University. Commissioned in 1965, David served as a T-38 instructor pilot before becoming a forward air controller in Vietnam, where he flew 485 combat hours. Shot down and captured in 1972, he endured nearly a year as a prisoner of war before his release in 1973. He went on to fly the F-4D and later held a variety of command and staff roles, ultimately retiring as a Colonel after accumulating more than 4,200 flying hours as a Command Pilot. His decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. In 1976, David married Elizabeth Splichal, and together they spent many years stationed in Germany — including five consecutive assignments working with NATO from 1978 until his retirement in 1995. They traveled widely, skied often, and enjoyed the cultures and cuisines of Europe before retiring to Colorado Springs. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his children, Andrea Mott and David Mott; and grandsons, Harrison and Alexander Mott. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Coletta Mott, and his brother, Roger Mott. David will be remembered for his courage and the qualities that defined his life. His dry sense of humor endeared him to most, while his storytelling and joy for cooking brought people together with meals that nurtured deep friendships. His wit and authenticity, along with his strength, made him someone whose presence was appreciated and whose memory will be long cherished. David lived by two favorite rules in life: "Be smarter than the equipment you are working with" and "Beer starts at good."