Last Trap

This page is dedicated to those who recently passed.....

• Passing of CDR Tom "Zippy" Himstreet (ret)
• Passing of CAPT Marty "Rhino" Smith (ret)
• Passing of Bill “Wedge” Busch
• Passing of Jim Erskine
• Passing of RADM Luther Schriefer, USN (ret)
• Passing of John "Monk" McKnight, LCDR (Ret.)

Additional details below

Passing of CDR Tom "Zippy" Himstreet (ret)

We were just informed that Tom "Zippy" Himstreet passed away in mid-August due to complications from liver failure. His ex-wife Kim requested we pass along this sad note to those that served with him.

A memorial service with military honors was held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the Roseburg National Cemetery Annex  in Roseburg, Oregon. 
⁣
Donations can be made in his memory to the OSU Alumni Scholarship Fund in his honor (http://www.osu-nrotc-alumni.us/updates-to-alumni-website)

Obituary: 

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗚. 𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧⁣
Thomas Gordon “Zippy” Himstreet, 56, passed away on August 9, 2025, in Merrill, Oregon, after battling ongoing medical issues. ⁣
⁣
Tom was born on September 16, 1968, in Ruislip, England, while his father was stationed in London with the U.S. Navy. The second of three children, his family all called him Tiger to differentiate him from his dad, and continued using that nickname throughout his life. He was a very active child, riding bikes, playing soccer and baseball, and even winning a rope climbing contest during elementary school. Military orders saw the family move several times to California, Montana, Washington, and Louisiana, before settling in Beaverton, Oregon, just in time for Tom to start high school.⁣
⁣
A free spirit at heart, Tom learned to play guitar as a teenager and formed a heavy metal cover band, Metal Legion, with several friends. He loved to ski, played water polo, was on the swim and track teams, and worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. He graduated from Sunset High School in 1986. ⁣
⁣
Tom then attended Oregon State University where he was a midshipman in the Naval ROTC Beaver Battalion. He was a member and later the commander of their competitive drill team, and as a senior, was selected as Battalion Commander. He graduated from OSU in June, 1991, with a BS in Industrial Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. ⁣
⁣
One of the proudest moments in Tom’s military career occurred in October, 1994, when he was designated a Naval Aviator and pinned on his gold wings for the first time. He was assigned to fly the S-3 Viking and went on to deploy several times with different squadrons and commands, log thousands of hours of flight time, and complete more than 1,000 carrier landings. This included flying combat missions from the USS Kitty Hawk during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. ⁣
⁣
In keeping with Naval aviation traditions, Tom was given various call signs. But the one that stuck was Zippy—which perfectly captured his high energy, quirky personality, and positive attitude. Of the many roles he filled during sea and shore tours, he most enjoyed being an instructor and mentor to younger aviators and service members. During his time on active duty, he was awarded numerous medals and commendations and also earned two master’s degrees (in aviation safety and maritime studies). After 23 years of service, he retired from the Navy at the rank of Commander in July, 2014.⁣
⁣
Aside from his military achievements, Tom was incredibly proud to be a dad to his two boys and hated being separated from them during lengthy training exercises and deployments. He also loved to ride motorcycles (often too fast), and owned several sport bikes and a dirt bike over the years. Always an avid runner, he completed a marathon and took up triathlon in his forties, reaching the podium for his age group in several races. ⁣
⁣
After retiring from the Navy, Tom relocated with his family to Bend, Oregon, where he worked as the Quality Assurance Manager at Bend Plating and was able to spend more time skiing, camping, paddleboarding, playing tennis, and volunteering with the Air National Guard. In 2023 he moved again to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he was involved with the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association and was in the process of building his own kit plane. ⁣
⁣
Tom is survived by his sons Leo and Max, parents Pam and Tom, siblings Julie and Jeff, and his former wife Kim. Although he struggled with his mental and physical health during his final years, we will remember Tom at his best as a man who gave his all to his family, friends, and country. ⁣
⁣
Tom/Tiger/Zippy/Dad: you marched to the beat of your own drum (and guitar) until the end, and you will be missed.⁣

Passing of CAPT Marty "Rhino" Smith

It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of CAPT Marty "Rhino" Smith.  Marty passed away at his home in Fleming Island, FL.

For those who knew him, Marty was an esteemed member of our community, having served in VS-24 and VS-31, and he was the XO/CO of the VS-32 Maulers. His contributions and dedication to family and service will not be forgotten. He will be profoundly missed.   

Please click on the link below to view his obituary:

Passing of Bill “Wedge” Busch

Bill “Wedge” Busch passed this Sunday morning (26 Oct) about 10:30 in Kissimmee, FL.  The details are thin right now but it sounds like a cardiac event.

Wedge entered the community as a Diamondcutter JO becoming a sh!t-hot LSO there and was quickly recognized as the AIRLANT Pilot of the Year. Being a stellar pilot wasn’t enough, he then became a Flight Surgeon working our many cases at Cecil (we really needed him, too) keeping his flying skills up with us at VS-27.  He then became an Ophthalmologic Surgeon and the a senior flight surgeon at NAS Jax.  He continued practicing medicine and flying warbirds as Stallion 51 in Kissimmee where he was an FAA Aeromedical Examiner.

Services for “Wedge” Busch were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, in Merna, IL on Saturday, November 8th.

Passing of Jim Erskine

Jim Erskine, S-3 Naval Flight Officer (winged Spring of 1984 with follow-on tours at NAS North Island) passed away at his home in Pensacola, Florida on Monday, 20 October 2025.

Funeral arrangements have been set for 27 March 2026 at the Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida with specific times and other details TBD.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. 

Please click on the button below to view his obituary:

Passing of Luther Schriefer, RADM USN (ret)

Rear Admiral Schriefer was born in Oshkosh, Wis., and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1960. Designated a Naval Aviator in October 1961, his first squadron tours were with VS-20 and VS-32, operating from the aircraft carrier USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CVS-39) participating in the Cuban Blockade.

Schriefer attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., studying Naval Communications Management, and graduated in May 1967. This was followed by a tour in VS-30, the VS replacement training and readiness squadron. In 1969, he joined the Defense Communications Agency for an in-country tour in the Republic of South Vietnam. He returned to attend the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., graduating in June 1971, and was awarded a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

Subsequent squadron tours were with VS-22 aboard the aircraft carrier USS INTREPID (CV-11); VRC-50 Detachment DaNang Air Base, Republic of South Vietnam; and VS-28. He joined Reserve Carrier Air Wing 70 as Operations Officer in March 1974, and then reported to VS-22 as Executive Officer and assumed command in 1977. He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 3 in December 1979 and joined the staff of Carrier Group 6 as Operations Officer for the USS AMERICA (CV-66) Carrier Battle Group in April 1981. Following a tour on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as Air Wing Training and Readiness Officer, he was assigned command of Air Anti-submarine Wing 1 at NAS Cecil Field, FL.

Schriefer assumed command of the amphibious cargo ship USS MOBILE (LKA-115) in October 1983, followed by assignment to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. He assumed command of the amphibious assault ship USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-3) in July 1986. He was assigned as Director, Tactical Air, Surface, Electronic Warfare, and Command and Control, Research and Development Division in Washington, D.C., in December 1987; and was named Commander, Anti-submarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at NAS North Island in June 1989; and Commander, Naval Base San Diego, from August 1991 to October 1992. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in January 1992 and assumed duties as Director, Inter-American Region, International Security Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, in October 1992.   He was the director of the Caribbean task force during the 1994 Haitian and Cuban crises. In his final assignment, Rear Admiral Schriefer served as the Division Director for the Navy's Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational Health Division. As the Navy's senior environmentalist, he was responsible for several key initiatives that have enabled the Navy to operate in harmony with the natural environment by achieving safe and environmentally sound ships, aircraft, and installations. He has testified before congressional committees to ensure that members and their staffs understand the Navy's impact on the environment, as well as the effects of environmental laws and regulations on the operations of our Nation's Navy.   

Rear Admiral Schriefer was married to the former Sandra N. Swanson of Detroit, Mich. The Schriefer's had four children: Kim, Scott, Michael and Kelly.

RADM Schriefer’s funeral was held on 5 July 2025 at 1100 at the Victory Lutheran Church.

Passing of John "Monk" McKnight, LCDR (Ret)

John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several years ago and further complicated by the onset of dementia.  He was eventually able to get care from the VA to assist his him and his spouse Sharon.  John had a funeral service June 27th

Monk single handedly kept the local San Diego VS Community alive and well through an ‘Old Guys’ luncheon he arranged every 4 months at McP’s in Coronado.  Monk was a well decorated combat proven Army helicopter pilot during Vietnam before he transitioned to the Navy, eventually flying S-3s.  Unfortunately we couldn't find a more complete biography so if anyone has additional information to add please send it to us at the "vikingassociation@gmail.com

Fair Winds and following seas Monk. 

A Memorial Service was held Monday, July 14 at the Miramar National Cemetery.