Anthony R. Ewert

LTC Anthony R. Ewert USAF RET, age 89, of Azalea, died Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at his home.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Hull & Hull Chapel. Military honors will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2008 at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to any cancer research organization.

He was born January 29, 1919 in Canistota, McCook County, South Dakota of pioneer parents, Elizabeth Nachtigal Ewert & Peter J. Ewert. He graduated from Mitchell High School in South Dakota and in 1937 moved to California where he attended Compton College for two years. In 1941 he began his 39-year military career by enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps and went into pilot training. From 1942 to 1946 he was a flight instructor and pilot. From the reserves, he was recalled to active duty to serve in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 as a fighter pilot and intelligence officer. He carried active duty orders to serve in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1974. In 1980 he officially retired from the military as a lieutenant colonel. On November 2, 1944 in Sacramento, California he married Betty C. Shutler. In 1949 he established a graphic printing business which he owned and operated for 25 years until he sold the business in 1974. In 1992 he moved from California to Azalea.

His hobbies included woodworking, fishing, and reading newspapers and political magazines. He especially enjoyed the news as he said he always wanted to know what was going on. He loved football and followed all professional football activities on television.

His memberships included Rotary International of which he was a twenty-plus year member serving as president and assistant district governor from 1955 to 1974; the Elks Lodge for 30 years; and currently Veterans of Foreign Wars and Southern Oregon Warbirds.

Survivors include his wife, Betty C. Ewert; four children, Spencer F. Ewert, Dennis C. Ewert, Holly Nightingale, and Toni A. Wilson; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Verna, Ina, Erma, and Lorena; and four brothers, Paul, Herbert, Arno, and Edwin.