Arthur E. Gene Aenchbacher
September 2, 1920 ~ February 24, 2017
Arthur E. "Gene” Aenchbacher
Colonel, USAF (Ret)
Gene passed away Friday, February 24, 2017. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 4 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd. Gene was born September 2, 1920 in Atlanta, GA. While attending Georgia Tech in 1940, he joined the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet. He received his pilots wings in December 1941. In June 1942, he was part of the initial cadre of B-17 bombers to deploy to England and Africa. One of his most memorable experiences of WW II was flying General Eisenhower to Gibraltar under difficult circumstances for which Ike wrote him a congratulatory letter that Gene treasured and gave to the Eisenhower Presidential Library in 2014. After returning to the US, he was stationed at Pratt Army Air Field as part of the first unit to train future B-29 crews. While at Pratt, he met and married the former Lida Elizabeth (Betty) Fincham on December 29, 1945. After completing his degree at UNC, Gene continued his military career. He had many distinguished assignments including working for General Curtis LeMay at SAC HQ, being assigned to the NATO HQ in Oslo, Norway, briefing President Kennedy on nuclear war plans while working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commanding a C-130 Wing during the Vietnam War and his final assignment as the Director of Airlift at TAC HQ. Retiring in 1970, his distinguished Air Force career spanned three wars. Survivors include his children Jack (Jodi) of Plano, TX, Cathy Songer, and Jim (Susan) of Trophy Club, TX. Gene has two granddaughters, two great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents and two brothers. Memorials may be made to the Pratt B-29 Museum, Inc., PO Box 29, Pratt, KS 67124 or Docs Friends, Inc., PO Box 771089, Wichita, KS 67277. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East.
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Though it has been sometime since “Gene” passed away, I just came upon his obituary while doing some research concerning one of his co-pilots, my great uncle, Joseph DiSalvo, how passed away several years ago.. He was the co-pilot of Ramblin’ Wreck on the flight into Gibraltar with Eisenhower. As a pilot myself I wondered how they managed to land in such whether. Speaking to my uncle I said I assumed they had an old style ADF, a radio guidance system which would at least get them on course to the runway. My uncle said, “No, we didn’t have anything fancy like that. We could see the “Rock” above the clouds, and we just lined up like we normally would and descended down.” It was a different world for sure that these men survived in, and it is sad to see this generation fading from our presence. I hope despite this delay that this note gets to you. My uncle always spoke highly of Gene.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
We have letters he wrote to an Aunt who was his friend during wwii we would like to give to the family if you can contact me – Susan 770-714-4062