Obituary of Lt. Colonel John Veylupek
John A Veylupek (Lt. Col, USAF Retired) age 85 entered into rest December 16, 2017. John was born on December 31, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska to John and Rose (Slegle) Veylupek.
He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1954 and entered the United States Air Force. From 1956 through 1959, his squadron made the first deliveries of materials to build the South Pole and other Antarctic stations in preparation for the International Geophysical Year. He also delivered supplies to build the North Pole station, T-3 International, so dubbed by the Navy. John flew extensively on all seven continents: supported U-2 over-flights of Russia from northern Pakistan; supplied the downrange missile RADAR cities in the Southern Atlantic, rescued Belgians from the Congo, supplied the Radar stations in Northern Greenland, flew couriers and mail throughout most of Europe and a goodly number of countries in Africa and Asia.
He served in the Atlas and BOMARK missile programs as Operations Officer. He was then selected as Commandant of Cadets at the University of Hawaii, teaching senior management courses and was elected as chairman of the Arts and Sciences committee. He finished his MBA studies there after having attended classes at a USC extension. He flew RECON during the Vietnam War and taught at the on base University of Maryland extension. Jon was a Ham radio operator, he operated two military Amateur Radio Stations (MARS), passing traffic from Vietnam to stateside families. John retired from the United States Air Force in 1977 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 he and his wife Mary bought property in the Chilco, Idaho area and built and operated Rimrock Golf Course for 10 years.
John is survived by his loving wife Mary; 4 sons John and wife Amy in Lancaster, PA, Alex and Wife Kris in Sacramento, CA, Charles in Solvang, CA and Jacob in New York, 1 daughter Mary Chris and Husband Mike in Rocklin, CA; sister Nadine Stendner, niece Adrienne and husband Jason and their daughter Abigail in Chandler, AZ and 5 grandchildren Michael, Steven, Jessica, India, and Malachi.
John’s final Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bell Tower Funeral Homes in Post Falls, Idaho. Private family services will be held at a later date.
