Virgil Lee Moyer Died 2012

MOYER MELTABARGER ECKERT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/23/2012 at 09:59:46

Sioux City Journal
August 15, 2012

Virgil Lee Moyer, 74, passed away on June 9, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital after a brief illness.

Abiding by family wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration Of Life Service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sioux Gateway Airport (Gate 12 to access the Hanger), and a brief blessing by Pastor Greg Hanamann. Family will be present beginning at 3 p.m. for visitation. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Virgil was born in Algona, Iowa, third son of Raymond and Madelaine Berle (Meltabarger) Moyer. He grew up in Algona and Hastings, Neb., graduating in 1956. Virgil married Patricia J. Eckert on June 9, 1959 in Hastings.

Virgil soloed his first airplane in Hastings in 1956 while in high school and received his private pilots license in 1958. He joined the United States Air Force in 1957 and served in Clovis, New Mexico, where he managed Aero Club at the Cannon Air Force Base until 1961.

From 1961 until 1963, he attended Northrup Institute of Aeronautics in Englewood, California earning an A & P License. Virgil was a pilot for ISU from 1965 until 1970 and then piloted for Blue Cross Blue Shield from 1970 until 1996.

When he retired in June of 1996, Virgil took flight in his RV. In the summer, he would include travels with his grandchildren visiting numerous states including Alaska and Newfoundland with the Wally Byam Caravan Club International. In the winters, Virgil enjoyed Arizona where he volunteered for the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. While he was in Arizona, Virgil flew the B17 Sentimental Journey, the B52 Maid in the Shade, The C-45 Expeditor, the L-16 Grasshopper, the SNJ/T6 Texan, and the PT-17 Stearman.

Virgil served as a FAA examiner while in Iowa, as well as in Arizona, and was a flight instructor for many of the area pilots. Some of the pilots he trained went on to become airline pilots for Delta and Northwest Airlines.

Virgil was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a committee member and Scout Master. He took the Scouts to the International Boundary Waters, and to the Philmont Scout Ranch, and enjoyed camping in the summer as well as in the winter. Virgil traveled during the summer for Trap Shooting events, enjoyed civil war sites, enjoyed fishing, and "puttseeing” around where ever he could.

Left to cherish his memories include his wife Patricia of Sioux City and Mesa; brother Darrell Moyer and his wife Mary of Rockport, Texas; children LeeDennis Moyer of Des Moines; Arienne Hoberg of Sioux City; and Jeffery Moyer and his wife Rhiannon of Boone, Iowa; grandchildren Kathleen Henderson and her husband Shawn of Des Moines; Carolyn Moyer of Des Moines; Michaela Monroe and her husband Justin of Des Moines; Kylie (Hoberg) Davenport and her husband Khaleel of Minot AFB, N.D.; Kelsea and Luke Hoberg of Sioux City; Anthony Moyer and his wife Janna of Boone; Alex Moyer of Boone; and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, 2701 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa, Ariz. 85215