Howard Vasina Obituary

Howard R. Vasina, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2016.



Howard was born December 13, 1931 in Colon, Nebraska to Anton and Mary Vasina. He enlisted in the Air Force on January 4, 1952 after two years at the University of Nebraska. He was then selected for Cadet Pilot Training and after graduating with distinction served in a variety of locations including Iceland, Alaska, and two assignments in Germany. During 1967-68, he served in Vietnam, stationed at Danang, where he flew 240 combat missions in the F4 Phantom, including 80 over North Vietnam. He was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, seventeen Air Medals, the Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, and the Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Battle Service Stars. Howard proudly served the USAF for 28 years and retired at NORAD on September 30, 1980.



Following retirement from the Air Force, he worked for Lockheed Martin as Colorado Springs Manager of Launch & Missile Systems and retired after 19 years. During this time he graduated from Regis College, earning a BS in Technical Management.



He was active in the local community, serving on the Chamber Board of Directors as Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, President of the National Defense Industrial Association, President of the Lance Sijan Chapter, and both Colorado State President and a National Director of the U.S. Air Force Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Anthony, sister Dorothy Ann, brother-in-law Frank Warfield, and sister-in-law Delores. He is survived by his wife Dorothea (Salzborn) and son Kevin (wife Heather and children Victoria, Vincent and Veronica) of Arvada, CO, son Brian (wife Ruth) of Colorado Springs, son Scott (wife Carol and children Ryan and Melanie) of Centennial, CO, and son John (wife Crista and children Andrew and Audrey) of Atlanta, GA.



In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to American Legion Post #265, Box 8, Colon, NE 68018-0008 or the Rocky Mountain Fisher House Foundation, 8354 Northfield Blvd, Suite 3700, Denver, CO 80238 - www.rockymountainfisherhouse.org/. Memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 on Friday, July 8, at 11:00 AM. Burial with full military honors will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO on Monday July 11, at 2:15 PM.