Lt. Col. Peter B. Lovering

Lt. Col. (Ret) Peter B. Lovering made his last flight on September 25, 2005. He was born in Manchester, NH on August 17, 1933. After graduating from Central High School in Manchester in 1951, he joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and acquired his wings the following year. Retiring after 21 years of distinguished service, he then entered a 22 year civilian career as an aerospace R & D contractor. Although he piloted numerous aircraft during his service in the Air Force, the T-39 Sabreliner became Col. Lovering's signature plane. He logged over 4, 000 flight hours in the T-39 under various commands and missions, most notably in his pioneering work in All-Weather Landing Systems with the Instrument Pilot Instructor School at Randolph AFB in the early to mid- 1960's and during his tour in Vietnam. In recognition of his dedication and tireless efforts, he received numerous Meritorious Service Awards throughout his career and was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as a combat crew member in Southeast Asia. He retired in 1973 after serving as commanding officer of the Command Flight Service for Readiness Command at McDill AFB in Tampa, FL. In his subsequent civilian career, Col. Lovering continued to serve his country in advancing R & D of flight instruments and instrument systems for military airfcraft, always emphasizing pilot safety. As a Pilot Factors Engineer, he worked first for Bunker Ramo Corporation, and then became a founding principal of Midwest Systems Research, Inc., both supporting projects at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. Col. Lovering was married to Bobby Danley of Panama City, FL in 1956. He was the proud father of Steven B. Lovering of Columbus, OH and Lisa B. Lovering of San Antonio, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Helen Shea Lovering, and his grandparents, Fred and Mildred Hartford Lovering, all of Manchester, NH; and his beloved son Steven. He is survived by his wife, Bobby; daughter, Lisa; two sisters, Judith Demos and Elizabeth Remillard of Manchester, NH; and three grandchildren, Katharine, Peter and Samuel Lovering of Yellow Springs, OH. Col. Lovering resided at Frank M. Tejeda Texas State Veteran's Home in Floresville, TX since 2001. He suffered from Pick's disease, a rare and rapid deterioration of the fronto temporal lobes of the brain. His family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, which conducts research on this very devastating and perplexing disease. The address is Alzheimer's Research Group, 640 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. A graveside memorial service will be help on Wednesday June 14 at 11:00 in Pine Grove Cemetery