OBITUARY Alvin Earl Blumberg September 9, 1946 – January 26, 2019 Alvin Earl Blumberg, Jr. (Z”L) left this world on January 26, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a result of chemical exposure while in military service during the Vietnam War. He was born in 1946 to Alvin and Peggy (Steinfirst) Blumberg, and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He graduated from Brainerd Senior High, where he led the basketball team in his senior year as captain and starred as a three-year captain of the golf team.
Alvin was part of the first class from Chattanooga selected to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Al majored in Political Science and played on the varsity golf team all four years, competing with the likes of Hale Irwin and Johnnie Miller. Al graduated as part of the 10th USAFA class in 1968 and went on to serve as a command pilot with over 3,000 flying hours, while concurrently earning his Master in Business Administration from the University of Utah.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, and four Commendation Medals flying C-130s during 83 combat missions. Al had a gregarious personality, and a deep love for his family and friends, particularly his wife of 35 years, Sue, and his children, Beth and Jacob. Outside of work, Al was committed to giving back, and he was an enthusiastic participant in the Woodmen Valley Sertoma Club for more than four decades.
He served on the USAFA Association of Graduates National Board for two eight-year terms and held numerous executive positions as a dedicated leader of the local Rampart AOG chapter. His passion for playing golf with his friends and family was only matched by his love of reading. Many wonderful family trips included destinations with challenging golf courses, and quiet places to relax with his favorite books.
His most beloved destination was Treasure Cay in the Bahamas, where he and Sue had begun partial retirement trips over the past decade. After his active-duty service, Al’s gift for numbers and teaching emerged as he went on to a successful career as a financial planner, banker and accountant. Most recently, he was a Fleet Ground Instructor for United Airlines, where he was able to share his love of flight with fellow “Ph.D.’s in flying”.
Al is survived by his loving wife Sue Skiffington-Blumberg; his son Jacob Blumberg (Christina Farhart); Beth Blumberg; grandson Ben Sauer; mother Peggy Rae Blumberg; brother William Blumberg (Theresa); sister Janet Nelson (David); and nieces and nephews who will miss their Uncle “Owl”. A memorial celebration of Al’s life will be held January 30, 2019 at the USAFA Memorial Pavilion at 1:00pm with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in his honor to the sponsorship fund at Woodmen Valley Sertoma Club or the USAFA Golf Team.
Checks to the Woodmen Valley Sertoma Club may be sent to PO Box 49671 Rockrimmon Station, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
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