COL L. Fred Belcher, (Ret.), age 84, passed away peacefully in San Antonio, TX, on 2 Sep 13, after a brief illness.
He was born 29 Oct 28 in Old Hickory, TN, and spent his childhood in TN, OH, OK, and TX. He was graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1950.
Fred entered the military in 1951 and married the love of his life, Genevieve (Jenny) Staudt, in Orange, TX in 1954.
He had 34 duty stations with service in Korea and Vietnam during the war years and 25 moves including two tours in Germany, before retiring in San Antonio in 1987.
Fred earned many awards and citations for service including the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. His combat awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with 24 awards for over 240 combat medical evacuation missions.
Upon retirement, Fred was a faithful volunteer with the St. Pius X Catholic Church Arboreans and served as an Election Judge in Bexar County. Fred will be remembered for his deep, abiding love of his wife, his family, this beautiful country, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and desserts.
He had a lifelong interest in literature and published his own book of poetry, A Soldier’s Journey, in 1998.