Colonel Lyndon L. Sheldon (USAF retired), 90, of Colorado Springs, passed away on January 1, 2022, in memory care at MacKenzie Place. Lyn was born to Molly and Glen Sheldon at home on the farm in Mt. Ayr, IA, and was welcomed by his 11 siblings. The family moved to Des Moines when he was 10 after the death of his father.
He attended Iowa State University where he received a BS degree in mathematics and received a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the USAF through ROTC. Lyn met Edie Gossner in Mrs. Riley’s boarding house in Dubuque, IA, where she was a student in the X-ray school at Mercy Hospital. They were married on December 26, 1955, in her home town of Darlington, WI.
They were stationed in Texas and Georgia for Lyn’s navigation training. Their daughter Peggy was born in Valdosta, GA, and her sister Lisa was born in Presque Isle, ME, where Lyn flew in F-89s in the Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), protecting the US from Soviet aircraft. In 1959, the family moved to Columbus, OH, where 2 years later Lyn earned his Master’s degree from Ohio State University in geodetic science. From 1961-64, Lyn was assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) in Massachusetts, where he was a Geodetic Research Officer on the geodetic satellite program at Cambridge Labs and the team earned a patent for the ANNA-B satellite. Lyn’s next assignment took the family to Charleston AFB, SC, for Lyn’s role as a Radar Intercept Officer in F-101B Voodoos until 1967. Lyn served as a mathematician at HQ Air Defense Command (ADC) in Colorado Springs through 1969. Then Lyn was deployed as an instructor navigator in AC-119K Stinger gunships on 137 night combat missions in Vietnam and Laos. After 6 months Lyn took R & R in Hawaii, meeting Edie and the girls for a wonderful week on the beach.
Lyn returned to Colorado Springs in September 1970, serving as Division Chief in Missile and Space Defense Plans (MSDP) at HQ NORAD/ADC. In 1976 Lyn took over as the commander of the Geodetic Survey Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming. The family returned to Colorado Springs in 1980, so Lyn could complete his last USAF assignment, deputy director of MSDP.
Lyn retired from the Air Force in 1981 after serving his country for 27 years. He worked on USAF programs in Colorado Springs for NORAD while employed by Computer Science Corp., Ford Aerospace, Loral and Lockheed Martin until 1996.
During his military career, Lyn was awarded numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal.
Lyn drove for Meals on Wheels for many years and was a Grand Friend, tutoring 2nd graders in reading at Grant Elementary School. He was an enthusiastic member of the Charles A. Lindbergh Collector’s Society for over 10 years, even serving as the group’s president. In addition, he enjoyed spending time with our Miniature Schnauzer Fritz, refinishing antiques, fishing, Sheldon family reunions in Lake City, CO, reading, and visiting ghost towns in the Land Rover.
Lyn is survived by his loving wife Edie of 66 years, his daughters Peggy Ritchey (Steve) and Lisa Sheldon, his sisters-in-law Rita Purcell and Charlotte Sheldon, and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, 7 brothers and 4 sisters.
A private burial will be held with full military honors at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff in memory care at MacKenzie Place as well at the New Century Hospice nurses who were so kind, especially at the end.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 5 at the Shrine of Remembrance (1730 E. Fountain Blvd, C. Springs) at 1 p.m. Due to the pandemic, masks are required.
Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at 455 N. Sherman St. Ste. 500, Denver, CO 80203.
Gene Ross
8 Jan 2022Edie & family,
It makes us so sad to hear of Lyns passing. Instead of continued sorrow, I will look back on the many great times we all had together.
Especially all the adventures and experiences Lyn & I had roaming the Colorado Springs area, going to the Templeton Gap Gift Shop ( his name for a junk yard we frequently visited for little treasures), and particularly the many “White Knuckle” explorations in the Land Rover!!
Lyn was a longtime, close, and valued friend and I will miss him tremendously!!
Gene & Jeannine Ross
Anonymous
8 Jan 2022I worked for Lyn for many years at Ford Aerospace/Loral/Lockheed Martin. He was a great boss and person. He will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace Lyn. Bob Aiello
Steve Castle
9 Jan 2022Lyn was a special friend and co-worker at Ford Aerospace, Loral and Lockheed Martin. He was always there when you needed him. I vividly remember his smile, laugh and his love for his family vacations in Lake City. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and friends during this difficult time. Steve Castle
Steve Young
12 Jan 2022The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Col Sheldon’s 27 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
Suzanne Schwartze
17 Jan 2022Our prayers and condolences to Edie and the rest of the family. I certainly enjoyed chatting with Lyn about the shenanigans he got into during his Iowa State days! He was a great man!
Suzanne, Bernie and Charles Schwartze
Iowa State Alumni Club of Southern Colorado
Joni & Jim Holligan
30 Jan 2022Lyn was a volunteer in my second grade classroom at Grant Elementary. He was so patient and kind with our students. He did a Charles Lindbergh presentation each year as he had a wealth of knowledge about Lindbergh’s history and career. Lyn had a kind heart along with a gentle twinkle in his eyes. He was such a wonderful person. He will be missed by so many.