Lt. Col. Ben C. Skelton
United States Air Force, Retired
Lt. Col. Ben C. Skelton (USAF Retired) passed away on Jan. 2nd, 2015 in Colorado Springs, CO. He had fought against Parkinson’s disease and dementia for more than 10 years and was 89 years old. His life and USAF career was remarkable on many levels. He was a career Air Force pilot having served for 32 years and during three wars: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
He was the youngest son of Ben Eugene and Anna Kahrl Skelton and was preceded in death by brothers Keith Skelton and Carl Black, and by sisters Elizabeth Wilkins and Birdie Campbell.
Ben was born in Skeltontown, Pennsylvania on July 16th, 1925. Upon graduation from Edinboro High School he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and received his pilot’s wings in 1945. Ben returned home to Edinboro and married his partner-for-life Marian Elaine Freeauf from Conneaut Lake, PA in 1946. They recently celebrated their 68th anniversary.
Early in his career, while serving as an Air Force radar operator in the northern US, Ben received the Air Force We Point With Pride award for saving a lost fighter pilot.
Ben flew along the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line in Canada and Alaska. Then he flew EC-121-D Super-Constellation radar planes out of Otis AFB on Cape Cod, MA. Ben was stationed twice in Colorado Springs, first at ENT AFB as part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) and later at Peterson Field.
In the Viet Nam conflict Ben flew the EC-121 Super-Constellation again from Thailand over Cambodia, this time equipped with electronic surveillance equipment.
Later, Ben flew large multi-engine propeller aircraft (such as the VC-118). He was frequently chosen to fly military commanders, congressmen and ambassadors to both Europe and the Pacific. Ben was the initial co-commander for Wake Island, preparing the base for 6000 unexpected refugees when Viet Nam fell in 1975.
The saying “there are no old, bold pilots” applied to Ben. He was known for his careful work and attention to detail. He was a highly respected commander and safely flew into over 263 airports around the world.
Ben retired as a Lt. Col. In 1975; with 400 combat hours, 12,000 flying hours and five overseas tours. He received over 20 awards. His family followed him to many assignments, including Colorado, Germany, and Hawaii, moving 27 times. Ben’s devoted patriotism and his love for the Air Force continued throughout his life.
Ben and Elaine lived in Sun City West, Arizona for 21 years before moving to Colorado Springs to be near their family. Ben spent those years serving his community in many veterans’ organizations, frequently as president, including the ROA, VFW, MOAA, the American Legion, and the Daedalians. He was a past member of the Zem Zem Shrine in Erie, PA and a member of their Legion of Honor. Ben was a 69-yr. member of the Oasis Lodge #416 of Edinboro, PA, F&AM and achieved the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite Masons in the Valley of Erie in the Grand Lodge of PA.
Dad’s passion was the Air Force. He shared in the respect for other military members by his years of work in honor guards for men he never knew. His work every year hanging American flags in Sun City West benefited everyone. He visited schools to talk to youth about the military, and personally helped fund and open the pool in Surprise every year for the kids.
He loved playing golf when he could and marshaled for PGA and LPGA tournaments in Hawaii and Arizona for more than 30 years, usually on the 18th green.
He is survived by his loving wife, Elaine Skelton; son Terry and wife Dorothy McNamara; son Chris, wife Lisa and daughter Breanna; daughter Lisa Brandt, husband Jim and son Tyler. Ben loved his grandchildren Breanna and Tyler very much.
He is also survived by nieces Jean Meyer, Ann LeFlor, and Carol Greene. And by nephews Keith Skelton, Tom Skelton, and Bill Black.
We are grateful to have had Ben in our lives for so many years. He tenaciously held on to life and was always known for his good nature and infectious smile. He is now flying his plane with the angels and smiling from ear to ear.
Services will be on Sunday, January 18th, 2:00 at Village at Skyline, 2305 Patriot Hts., Building One, Lower Level Multipurpose room. Parking on the north side of Building One.