Lt Col Clarence H. “Gus” Sonderman
Lt Col Clarence H. “Gus” Sonderman
Lt Col Clarence “Gus” Sonderman was a fighter pilot of great distinction, who was born in Kennewick, WA on September 21, 1921 and slipped the surly bonds of earth on July 23, 2011.
Gus was one of five children of Hellen and Clarence Sonderman Sr. He was raised as a farm boy and graduated from Kennewick High School in 1939. He was at Washington State College when the Army Air Corps came looking for volunteers in 1942. He signed up along with hundreds of other students and was told to remain in school until the Army was ready for all the students who volunteered. Gus was called up in June, 1943 and ordered to report to Lincoln, NE for boot camp. He was inducted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in Feb, 1943. After boot camp he was sent to Bozeman, MT for six months for aviation ground school at Montana State College. Flying the Piper Cub was part of the curriculum and the start of his career as a fighter pilot.
He flew 25 missions in the P-38 in the European theater during WW II and returned home to finish college graduating in 1948. Gus was the commander of “The Wild Weasels” a forward air combat unit in Korea and Vietnam. During the Korean Conflict, he flew 100 missions in the P-51 Mustang. In the Vietnam War Gus flew 100 missions in the F-105.
In addition to the P-38 and the P-51, he flew the F-84, F-86, F-101, F-102, F-105 and F-106. At Perrin Air Force base, Gus commanded the Flying 58th fighter squadron. The Flying 58th provided great lifelong friends; he stayed connected to his men through annual reunions across the country. Gus’ 31 years of active duty military service were recognized with a multitude of decorations and medals for his courage and service to his country.
Gus retired from the military in 1973 and joined Global Associates as a Contract Administrator. He continued to travel the world with Global working in the Kwajalein Islands and Saudi Arabia.
Finally at the age of 62 he met the love of his life, Marie. They were married on Sept.2, 1984 in Helena, MT. After retiring from Global they moved to Boise to be near their grandchildren. And what a great grandpa he was - attending countless football, baseball, and hockey games. Gus and Marie’s home was the center for many family holidays and parties. He loved ringing the bell above his bar to let everyone know it was time for a toast. His toasts always included love of family, friends, and a glass of Stoli on ice. Gus’ marriage to Marie brought him into the arms of Marie’s Montana family. He enjoyed many a good time at Elk Park, MT the family ranch listening to his sister-in-law Mitzi play the piano, and sharing beers and swapping tall tales with nephews Sam, Chris, Bob, Mark, Bill, and Greg.
Gus is survived by his wife Marie; nieces Marlene (Fred) Swanson, Vancouver, WA, and Darlene (Cecil) Young, Kennewick, WA; and cousin Dick (Jackie) Sonderman, Dayton, WA; sons Craig (Debra) Sonderman, Jackson Hole, WY; Sam Sonderman Chico, CA; Greg Sonderman (Phoenix, AZ); stepdaughters Cathy (John) Vickers Newport, OR; Helen Larish, and Vikkey (Kent) Christensen Boise, ID; grandsons Capt. Jerrod Sonderman, Columbia, SC; Paul Vickers, Prince William Sound, AK; SSgt Eric (Ashley) Sonderman, Boise, ID; Sean Sonderman, Jackson Hole, WY.
He is preceded in death by mother and father, Hellen and Clarence Sonderman Sr., brothers Albert and Robert, sisters Ruth Ferguson and Betty Taylor, and step-son Mitch Larish.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2011 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Committal services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., including Lodge Honors by Idaho Lodge #1 A.F. & A.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Idaho State Veteran’s Home, 320 Collins Rd., Boise, Idaho 83702; or the Humphries Diabetic Center, 1226 W. River, Boise, ID 83702
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