A memorial service was held on base to remember and pay
tribute to the life-long service and legacy of the director of retiree
affairs for Barksdale, July 31, 2020.
Retired Col. Steven L. dePyssler, who served 38 years in the U.S. Army
Air Corps and the Air Force, and the past 41 years volunteering with the
retiree affairs department, passed away July 25, 2020.
He is believed to be the only known American to have served in World War
II, the Korean War, the French Indo-China War, the Bay of Pigs Invasion
and the Vietnam War. He celebrated his 101st birthday just four days
before his passing
The ceremony consisted of guest speakers who spoke on his
accomplishments, his many years of dedication to the Air Force, to the
state of Louisiana and the Barksdale community. Barksdale’s honor guard
provided the military funeral honors.
“He represents the sacrifice [and] the dedication that is the best of
humanity - what we should all want and desire to achieve in our own
lives,” said Retired Air Force Col. Michael Dilda, president of the
Ark-La-Tex chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and
close friend to dePyssler, during the ceremony. “Steve represented an
infinite view of the game of life. The infinite view is one that's
characterized by a never ending desire to improve. A unique legacy spent
over a career of helping others. It was my advantage and distinct
pleasure to have the opportunity to work with him and get to know him -
to have him call me a friend.”
Since dePyssler was such an influential figure, a decision was made to
memorialize his life forever at Barksdale. Last year, during his 100th
birthday celebration, a building renaming was announced to pay tribute
to him. Then in November of 2019, the newly established Col. dePyssler
Mission Support Group building was unveiled.
During the memorial service, Dr. Bruce dePyssler, son of dePyssler,
offered the final remarks. Thanking multiple people in and around base
for all they have done for his family and telling stories from his life
growing up with his father.
“He was loyal to his wife, to his family, to his troops, to the vets, to
the Air Force and to the beloved country,” Dr. dePyssler said as he
began to be stricken with emotion. “He is fair. He is open. He accepted
others.”
“I do not know what natural and divine forces were conjured up to give
us this life, this consciousness that we have. This ability that we have
to hope, and love, and suffer. This ability to know what we do and do
not know. This ability to shape our destiny in large and small ways,”
Dr. dePyssler added. “One thing I do know is that I learned from my
father that this gift of life and consciousness is not something to be
squandered.”
dePyssler held every enlisted, warrant officer and officer rank during
his career from the rank of private to colonel. He was awarded the
Legion of Merit Medal four separate times for his outstanding service.
“Col. dePyssler loved all veterans, but his heart was always with the
Air Force and his heart was always with Barksdale,” said Retired Army
Col. Joey Strickland, Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans
Affairs, during the ceremony. “His service to veterans brings to mind
one of my favorite quotes. General Omar Bradley in 1948 when he was
serving as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs said, ‘We are dealing with
veterans, not procedures. We are dealing with their problems, not ours.’
That is just what Col. Steve dePyssler did every day. I always knew
that I could count on him for anything I needed to get done for
veterans, especially here in the Northwest.”
While volunteering at the retiree office, he dedicated his time to
helping military retirees, their widows, widowers, parents and children
through the process of obtaining and understanding retirement benefits.
“His goal was, and I quote, ‘to help one person a day, for as long as I
live. That’s my goal, and it has been for years and years and years,’”
said Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, Air Force Global Strike Command director
of strategic plans, programs and requirements and former 2nd Bomb Wing
commander, during the ceremony. “Well to do the math, for the amount of
time he was running the retiree affairs office, if you add 365 days a
year, and you have to add 10 for 10 leap years mind you, that means Col.
dePyssler’s goal was to help 14,975 people. And he did. He spent
countless days helping widows navigate the bureaucratic world of the
military life without their spouses. And he worked tirelessly to honor
veterans.”
Although he has passed, generations today and for years to come will
forevermore be able to learn and be inspired through the life and legacy
the retired colonel provided everyday since his enlistment in 1940.
“Steve, we all remember that you were here. We remember that you stood
up for what was right. And you left this world a better place,” Gebara
said as he turned to face dePyssler’s photo on the wall. “I hope you
know that the men and women of Barksdale will miss you. And I will too.”
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