Captain WOLTERSDORF Obituary – (2021) – Spokane, WA

Woltersdorf, Captain Leonard O. (Age 81) March 10, 1939 – February 8, 2021 Captain Leonard Oscar Woltersdorf handed to his eternal reward 08 February 2021. Born in Laramie, WY 10 March 1939, to Howard and Donna Woltersdorf, he grew up in Wyoming, Montana, and Southern California, finding out to hunt and fishand do the items most young children do. In 1959, Captain Woltersdorf began his journey to gain the coveted ‘wings of gold’ by becoming a NAVCAD. Following a few several years in education, and honing his piloting competencies, he gained those people ‘wings of gold’ in 1961 at Ellyson Industry in Pensacola, FL. Captain Woltersdorf commenced his aviation vocation with the ‘Sea Griffins’ of HS-9 centered in Quonset Issue, RI, but stationed on USS Essex (CV-9), exactly where he was entrance and middle for the duration of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Just after that tour, he returned to the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and the ‘Eightballers’ of HT-8 to train up and coming student aviators how to fly. He gained a status for remaining Really toughbut Very good. He cemented that standing when he failed the Commanding Officer of the squadron when he arrived up for his once-a-year Unexpected emergency Strategies check out flight. Fortuitously for ALL, the CO did Significantly greater on the recheck. At the peak of his traveling time at HT-8, he experienced the option to teach some of the initially NASA astronauts. He experienced always regarded himself to be just one of the greatest pilots all over..until eventually he flew with the astronauts and he realized a valuable lesson on the price of humility. Following quite a few many years in HT-8, Captain Woltersdorf was purchased to Vietnam, the place he Joined the ‘Sea Wolves’ of HAL-3 as Functions Officer and Hearth Group Chief. Though there, he acquired the ire of his enemies so a great deal, that they place a bounty on his head. A bounty they triedbut were eventually not able to obtain. Right after his tour in Vietnam, Captain Woltersdorf put in two several years at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPG) in Monterey CA the place he attained a BS in Engineering Science. Soon after NPG, he began his “Aviation Appreciation Tour” as the Air Boss on USS Denver (LPD-9). He continuously said that this was 1 of the most exasperatingand nonetheless satisfying tours he ever experienced. In 1973, Captain Woltersdorf transferred to ‘Sea Devils’ of HC-7 in which he served in various distinct capacities, together with Govt Officer as the squadron was disestablished. Captain Woltersdorf returned to academia for a 12 months at the Naval War Higher education in Newport RI, the place he acquired a Masters of Intercontinental Relations, and a MBA from Salve Regina Higher education. Upon graduation, Captain Woltersdorf returned to his aviation roots and became the Government Officer and then Commanding Officer of the ‘Indians’ of HS-6 in San Diego. Whilst he was at HS-6, the squadron gained quite a great deal every award probable for them to earn, such as Fight E, Isabel trophy (for ASW Excellence) 2 times, and the Protection S. Following this extremely profitable tour, Captain Woltersdorf was purchased back again to sea to become the Executive Officer on USS New Orleans (LPH-11). In 1983, Captain Woltersdorf was ordered to Navy Staff Command in Washington, DC, the place he was in charge of enlisted separations. He felt he did additional fantastic for the Navy at that position than any former billet, as he was separating individuals who have been not making the Navy a much more effective combating pressure. Following this initially tour to DC, Captain Woltersdorf was purchased to Greece to grow to be the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Souda Bay, on the Island of Crete. He mentioned that this tour was almost certainly the most entertaining, given that it gave an chance to journey and learn a new and decidedly distinctive society. After his tour in Souda Bay, Captain Woltersdorf returned to DC and this time he labored in the Pentagon as the “Duty Captain”, whilst simultaneously earning a Teaching Certificate from George Washington Univ. He retired from Energetic Responsibility in 1992 and moved to Spokane WA. Although in Spokane, Captain Woltersdorf re-entered the gates of academia, but this time as a large faculty math and science teacher. His difficult but fair approach received very a couple admirers.though that was normally Soon after they graduated and understood that he was planning them for everyday living outside of university. Captain Woltersdorf was an elder at Northview Bible Church. He was also heavily associated with the Gideons Worldwide, supporting guarantee Bibles were distributed all over the planet to sites that had been in dire will need of receiving the Phrase. He was also a member of El Katif Shrine, North Hill Masonic get and Valley San Diego Scottish Rite. When he was not preserving the earth from the enemies of democracy, he Liked to travel, in particular if trout fishing was involvedand he performed a wicked activity of bridge. Captain Woltersdorf wears the Distinguished Traveling Cross with a star, Air Medal with numeral 34, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Accomplishment Medal, in addition to many unit citations and awards. Captain Woltersdorf is survived by his spouse of 60 several years the former Ruth Ann Barnicoat of Butte, MT. They have two sons, Kurt and Keith, 3 granddaughters, two fantastic-grandsons and just one terrific-granddaughter, and various nieces and nephews. In lieu of bouquets, donations may possibly be made in his honor to both Gideons International or the Shriner’s Hospital for Kids.