1921
Russell
2013
Russell E. Klinginsmith
September 9, 1921 — January 23, 2013
Russell Ellis Klinginsmith, Colonel USAF Retired, 91, of San Antonio, TX passed away on January 23, 2013 in San Antonio, leaving his beloved wife of 58 years, Moragh (Miki).
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Reverend Randy Dilts will officiate. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul with military honors by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family suggests a tribute in his honor to the organization of your choice.
The fifth of ten children, he was born to Ellis and Gertrude (Kasson) Klinginsmith on their family farm near St. Paul, Nebraska on September 9, 1921, where he learned the rewards of hard work.
He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1938. He was awarded a BA from Ohio State University and MBA from Michigan State University.
In 1954 Russell married his life's companion, Moragh Fergusson, in Germany where he was stationed and she was working after her discharge from the British Army.
From 1942 to 1974, he served his country with valor and courage, as one of the best generation's officers in WWII and beyond, never wavering from his commitment to do the best job he could ever do.
An accomplished airman with nearly 7000 hours flown in the service of his country across five continents and three decades, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, two Air Medals and two Air Force Commendation Medals, among the many Decorations in recognition of his service.
On February 16, 2012, the anniversary of the 1945 battle to retake Corregidor, he was asked by the Air Force to help dedicate the two newest C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, "The Spirit of Wau" and "The Spirit of Corregidor", delivered to the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB, Abilene TX. Both were named in recognition of the Presidential Unit Citation awards the group received during WWII.
The group is the direct descendent of the 317th Troop Carrier Group he served with during the war in the Southwest Pacific. He was honored and very proud, as one of the last surviving C-47 Corregidor paratroop drop pilots to represent all the valiant the men and women he served with during our county's hour of need.
After his retirement from the Air Force, he embarked on a twenty-year career in the real estate business. During this period and well after, he continued his mission to serve his community in many ways, from adults to youth, encouraging the next generation. He and Miki enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting all fifty states as well as crisscrossing the globe. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, gardening and especially his annual fall trips to Nebraska.
To his family he will be remembered as a cherished and devoted father and grandfather. He imparted an unshakeable sense of honor, kindness and importance of family to the ones he loved. His nurturing words and wisdom will be treasured by them and serve to support and guide them each day.
Russell is survived by his wife, Moragh of San Antonio; a son, Gregory Ellis Klinginsmith and wife Linda of Austin, TX; a daughter, Stephanie Collins and grandchildren Rebecca and Christopher Collins of Joplin, MO; a sister, Ruby Steffey of St. Paul; nieces and nephews, Terry, Dennis and Cindy Steffey, Rick, Steve and Scott Klinginsmith, Debbie, Mark, Kim and Lona Klinginsmith, Beverly Meinecke, Roberta Daniels, Patsy Onatah, Elizabeth Guess and Michael Bragg; 32 great nieces and nephews; 20 great great nieces and nephews; several cousins; sisters-in-law, Dee Klinginsmith, Darlene Klinginsmith, Shirley Klinginsmith and Nancy Klinginsmith Small.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Gertrude Klinginsmith; four brothers, Robert, Rex, Gerald and Jim Klinginsmith; four sisters, Frances Bragg, Evelyn Jones, Opal Gartland and Doris Voorhees; three nephews, Clinton Bragg, Kenny Klinginsmith and Randy Voorhees and one great nephew, Brent Steffey.
Beloved by all he met, Russell's service to his community and anyone in need is his legacy to promote the best possible world he could help to create and inspire all to follow his example. And he did so.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Reverend Randy Dilts will officiate. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul with military honors by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family suggests a tribute in his honor to the organization of your choice.
The fifth of ten children, he was born to Ellis and Gertrude (Kasson) Klinginsmith on their family farm near St. Paul, Nebraska on September 9, 1921, where he learned the rewards of hard work.
He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1938. He was awarded a BA from Ohio State University and MBA from Michigan State University.
In 1954 Russell married his life's companion, Moragh Fergusson, in Germany where he was stationed and she was working after her discharge from the British Army.
From 1942 to 1974, he served his country with valor and courage, as one of the best generation's officers in WWII and beyond, never wavering from his commitment to do the best job he could ever do.
An accomplished airman with nearly 7000 hours flown in the service of his country across five continents and three decades, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, two Air Medals and two Air Force Commendation Medals, among the many Decorations in recognition of his service.
On February 16, 2012, the anniversary of the 1945 battle to retake Corregidor, he was asked by the Air Force to help dedicate the two newest C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, "The Spirit of Wau" and "The Spirit of Corregidor", delivered to the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB, Abilene TX. Both were named in recognition of the Presidential Unit Citation awards the group received during WWII.
The group is the direct descendent of the 317th Troop Carrier Group he served with during the war in the Southwest Pacific. He was honored and very proud, as one of the last surviving C-47 Corregidor paratroop drop pilots to represent all the valiant the men and women he served with during our county's hour of need.
After his retirement from the Air Force, he embarked on a twenty-year career in the real estate business. During this period and well after, he continued his mission to serve his community in many ways, from adults to youth, encouraging the next generation. He and Miki enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting all fifty states as well as crisscrossing the globe. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, gardening and especially his annual fall trips to Nebraska.
To his family he will be remembered as a cherished and devoted father and grandfather. He imparted an unshakeable sense of honor, kindness and importance of family to the ones he loved. His nurturing words and wisdom will be treasured by them and serve to support and guide them each day.
Russell is survived by his wife, Moragh of San Antonio; a son, Gregory Ellis Klinginsmith and wife Linda of Austin, TX; a daughter, Stephanie Collins and grandchildren Rebecca and Christopher Collins of Joplin, MO; a sister, Ruby Steffey of St. Paul; nieces and nephews, Terry, Dennis and Cindy Steffey, Rick, Steve and Scott Klinginsmith, Debbie, Mark, Kim and Lona Klinginsmith, Beverly Meinecke, Roberta Daniels, Patsy Onatah, Elizabeth Guess and Michael Bragg; 32 great nieces and nephews; 20 great great nieces and nephews; several cousins; sisters-in-law, Dee Klinginsmith, Darlene Klinginsmith, Shirley Klinginsmith and Nancy Klinginsmith Small.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Gertrude Klinginsmith; four brothers, Robert, Rex, Gerald and Jim Klinginsmith; four sisters, Frances Bragg, Evelyn Jones, Opal Gartland and Doris Voorhees; three nephews, Clinton Bragg, Kenny Klinginsmith and Randy Voorhees and one great nephew, Brent Steffey.
Beloved by all he met, Russell's service to his community and anyone in need is his legacy to promote the best possible world he could help to create and inspire all to follow his example. And he did so.
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