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Obituary for Walter L. Brower
Walter L. Brower, a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle to two families and multiple generations, died peaceably next to his caring, loving wife Margaret on Tuesday, 11 July 2018. He was 98, a true patriot and member of the “Greatest Generation.”
Walt was born to Earl and Ruth Brower on 21 May 1920 in Waynesboro, Virginia and grew up on the family farm in that area. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Ruth Brower; beloved first wife Winifred Familia; brothers Dave, Robert and James Brower. Family survivors include his wife Margaret; daughters, Michele, Diane, and Geralyn Brower; sister, Ann Yeago and brother, William Brower; and three grandsons, Matthew, Lee, and Ian Stonehouse. He also has many loving extended family relatives through his second wife, Margaret.
After graduating from high school in 1937, Walt attended Virginia Tech from 1939-1940. Early on, Walt knew he wanted to serve his country in the military and in September 1941, he entered the Army Air Corp. Following technical training on aircraft and engine maintenance, he was assigned to the 44th Bomb Group, the beginning of a long and distinguished military career that spanned three wars (WW II, Korean, Viet Nam) and multiple deployments. Walt entered pilot training in the fall of 1942 and upon receiving his wings in April 1943 was assigned to advanced flight training in California. Walt was then assigned to the 14th Fighter Group in Tunisia, North Africa. From there he flew in campaigns over North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was then selected to instruct French pilots in photo reconnaissance over Europe. Walt’s flight expertise was once again called on when he reassigned to the US to train new pilots in fighter tactics and techniques in Washington state. His stateside tour didn’t last long as the need for experienced fighter pilots in the European theater was in demand. In Dec 1944, he returned to Europe to fly with the 370th Fighter Group.
Following the war, Walt was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, Air Technical Intelligence, where he was the property officer in the Collection Division, accountable for over 50 German and Japanese aircraft, many of which were experimental. The highlight of this assignment was when Walt was able to personally meet Orville Wright at a function and escort him on a tour of these aircraft.
In 1946, Walt married Winifred Familia. They were married in the Patterson Field Chapel in June 1946. Walt briefly left the Air Force and worked in the construction industry in Southern California from 1947-1951.
In 1951 Walt’s desire to return to active duty resulted in his assignment as a squadron commander and flight test maintenance officer at Norton AFB, CA, beginning his distinguished second tour of duty. Following assignments took Walt and his family to Kelley AFB TX where is was deployed with the Air Depot Wing in a command position to Iwakuni, Japan in 1952, where he frequently flew to Korea to make disposition on aircraft with major damage. Following assignments included tours of duty as the depot representative at Kawasaki Aircraft, at Gifu, Japan in 1954, doing major repair on reciprocating and jet powered aircraft for the US government; and in 1955 he returned to Wright Patterson AFB as the Chief of Bomber Maintenance and Flight Test where he flew maintenance and research test flights.
Walt continued to expand his area of expertise serving as a maintenance officer in the Titan I missile program while at the same time staying proficient in flying by shuttling parts for Strategic Air Command bomber and tanker aircraft. In 1965 Walt was assigned to the Titan II Missile Wing at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ responsible for missile maintenance and quality control. Other assignments included airlift training at Stewart AFB TN (1967); survival training at Fairchild AFB WA (1968) and jungle survival training in the Philippians (1969); and on to flying airlift missions in Viet Nam. Upon returning home from Viet Nam, Walt attended Air Traffic Control School at Keesler AFB, MS; and was the communications squadron commander at Reese AFB TX.
Walt was command pilot with over 5,000 hours. His military decorations and awards include: the Soldiers Medal; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters; and several Air Force commendation medals and other awards.
Walt retired from the Air Force in 1972 and settled into a home in Monument, CO where worked as realtor and enjoyed cross country skiing, racquetball and golf in his leisure time. Following the death of his wife, Winifred in 2002, Walt was active in St. Peter Catholic Church and other volunteer activities in Monument. He met Margaret Ingram in 2003 and they were married in December of 2006.
The family would like for you to consider in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution made to a charity of your choice in Walt's memory.
