Last Trap
This page is dedicated to those who recently passed.....
Additional details below
Passing of CAPT Brett Pierson (ret)
It is with great sadness to pass along Brett Pierson, CAPT, USN(Ret), passed away last Sunday, 18 August at home in Kansas, after a bravely fought battle with cancer.
Brett was born in Anchorage, Alaska but grew up in South Florida. He was a 24th company plebe and graduated with 29th Company, with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He later earned a Masters in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Brett served over 30 years in the Navy, with command tours both at sea and ashore, including command of the Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) Argonauts and the Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9) Vampires, as well the assignment of Commodore at the Naval Test Wing Atlantic at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. After the Navy, Brett joined Textron Aviation Defense in 2017 and rose to became its CEO in 2022.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sylvia, and his sisters, Heather Hrivnak and Nicki Pierson; and Duffy, a rescued Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mix from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. CAPT Pierson was predeceased in death by his parents, William and Judith Pierson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at NewSpring Church (12200 E 21st Street N, Wichita, KS 67206) on Thursday, 29 August at 1400 (local), with a reception to follow at Textron Aviation Activity Center (TAAC) (9710 E Central Avenue, Wichita, KS 67206).
Later in the fall, there are plans for a funeral service at USNA, with a reception to follow. Details will be announced as they become available.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Brett’s name may be made to the following organizations:
Pilots N Paws®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to facilitating an environment in which volunteer pilots and aircraft owners organize to schedule rescue flights, overnight foster care or shelter and other related activities to support adopting animals;
Compassion International, a Christian charity dedicated to liberating children from poverty in Jesus’ name through sponsorships and donations aimed at empowering local churches to provide individualized and holistic care, so children are free to learn, grow, play and dream; and
the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships and other forms of educational assistance to children of deceased or disabled Society members.
Passing of CAPT Phil Voss (ret)
It is with great sadness to pass along that "Father Phil" passed away peacefully this morning (4 Aug).
He was admitted into Hospice care 3 Aug. He had been in the Ortega Gardens Assisted living facility in Jacksonville for the past couple of months, yet due to his failing condition was transferred to Orange Park Medical.
Junior said it best - "It goes without saying that Father Phil, Jughead, the Pope, Commodore, Skipper, Boss, was truly a champion of our community as well as in industry. To those he served with, led, or even encountered him, he was an inspiration. He lifted and challenged us all wherever he was. And oh my, his stories - epic, bigger than life. Frankly, I can’t think of anyone, other than my own family, who had more of an important influence to me professionally and otherwise than Father Phil. I’m sure there are more than can be counted who can make that very same claim. A top shelf toast to Phil, he made a difference."
A Catholic funeral mass was held on August 10th.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy and his family.
Passing of CAPT Jason “Shady” DeGroot
Memphis B767 First Officer Jason “Shady” DeGroot passed away peacefully on May 28, 2024 surrounded by his family and loved ones after a valiant fight with cancer. He was 49 years old.
Jason was born and raised in Hillsborough, New Jersey and enlisted in the US Navy in 1993 as an HC crewman.
Shortly after his enlistment he was selected to attend the United States Naval Academy where he graduated and was commissioned in 1999. Upon earning his wings of gold he was selected to fly the S-3B Viking with VS-21 and VS-41. He then transitioned to the VRC community flying the C-2A Greyhound with VRC-30 until he transitioned to the Navy Reserves in 2010.
In the Reserves, he flew the C-40A (B737) with VR-57 until 2020 when he was selected to serve as the Commanding Officer of both VRM-30 and VRM-50 Reserve Detachments flying the CMV-22B. While flying in the Navy Reserves, Jason was hired by FedEx in 2015 and flew both the B757 and B767.
Jason is survived by his wife: Mia DeGroot and their children: Evangeline, and Harlan.
A funeral service was held on Friday, 26 July at 0930 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Passing of CAPT Charlie Beauchesne "B+9" (ret)
CAPT Charlie Beauchesne passed away on 3 July after a battle with cancer.
Captain Beauchesne USN served our country on three Western-Pacific cruises in A-6 and S-3 aircraft.
He was a Vietnam veteran with 250 combat missions and 450 carrier landings. During his Vietnam War service, Charlie was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for combat missions over North Vietnam.
Additionally, he was hand selected to transition S-3 Squadrons to Attack Carrier operations and was in the first factory class at Lockheed Burbank. Many will remember Charlie from his many, many years as an contract instructor at VS-41. Many of you likely had a simulator ride (or two) with Charlie. He had the friendliest and most easy going demeanor which made him an ideal instructor.
His leadership in the Reserves led to command of VRC 30 at North Island as well as VR 57.
Charlie also flew as a Captain for PSA and US Air.
As a USS Midway docent, Charlie loved being on the flight deck where he was a Midway emissary extraordinaire, personally interacting with Museum guests as well as entertaining and educating hundreds of guests delivering traps and cats talks.
UPDATE
Join Charlie Beauchesne’s family and friends to celebrate the life of a great Patriot, a great Navy Pilot, and a great Midway Docent. Charlie’s daughter and son (Daryn and Matt) are hosting a party to remember and to celebrate Charlie’s life at the famous I Bar at NAS North Island, on Saturday afternoon October 12th from1:00 to 5:00 pm. (Guests can start arriving at 12:30 pm.) This will be a joyful event; filled with love, laughter, and those who adored, and respected, Charlie. There will also be a time with an Open Mic for those who would like to share a particular story or moment they had with Charlie.
The family is hoping many Docents will join them to share stories and recall the times he shared with all of us.
If you will be joining the Celebration of Life, please wear your Blue Midway Docent shirt and yellow hat. In memory of Charlie, Green Nylon Flight Jackets are also welcome!
A DOD id card is required to gain access to the base. Unless guests have a DOD identification card or will accompany a guest who does, access to North Island NAS requires pre-authorization. A link to the invitation, (including pre-authorization instructions) is below:
To help the family plan, please use the above link to RSVP by September 28th whether you will be able to join in Charlie's Celebration and whether you have a DOD card or not.
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