Alan Joseph Fick

He was born April 30, 1934 to the late Alphonse and Louise (Boes) Fick in Rich Fountain, MO.

Al attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rich Fountain, and later graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Westphalia, MO, in 1952. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Great Falls, Great Falls, MT, in 1972.

After falling in love with his next-door neighbor, Ann Edwards, the two married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on April 2, 1956. They stayed in love for a lifetime. His wife of 68 years, Ann selflessly served as Al’s primary caregiver for the past five years as his health declined.

Having grown up in a farming community and as the son of a banker, Al decided to branch out and pursue a military career. In 1952, he joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as an Airman Basic and went to Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) for training and screening. In testing, he showed an aptitude for flight screening and was subsequently accepted for commissioning and the USAF Aviation Cadet program in 1955. During training at Bainbridge AFB, GA and Bryan AFB, TX he flew the PA-18, T-6G, T-28, and T-33. His first operational assignment, from 1956 to 1958, was with the 27 Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), Griffiss AFB, NY, where he flew the F-94C and F-102. Al and Ann welcomed their first son, Greg, in 1957.

Al attended Air Weapons Controller training at Tyndall AFB, FL, before spending four years as a Ground Control Intercept controller on a remote tour at Lowther Air Station, Ontario, Canada. While there, he also flew the U-6A. Al and Ann welcomed their second son, Doug, in 1959.

Following his Canadian assignment, Al was assigned to the 4677 Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Hill AFB, UT, where he flew multiple variants of the B-57. Al and Ann welcomed their third son, Jim, in 1964.

He left Hill AFB in 1964 for his next tour as an F-102 pilot with the 460 FIS in Portland, OR. When the 460 FIS was disbanded, Al was selected to attend F-105 training at McConnell AFB, KS. His next assignment with the 34 Tactical Fighter Squadron was a combat tour in Southeast Asia flying 100 plus missions from Korat Air Base, Thailand, over North Vietnam. He returned to the U.S. in April 1967. Al’s combat flying skills were acknowledged with two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 13 Air Medals, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

He returned to the F-102 as an instructor pilot at Perrin AFB, TX. While there, Al and Ann welcomed their fourth son, Mike, in 1968. Al separated from the USAF later that year and moved the growing family back to Jefferson City, MO. Flying was still in his blood, so he worked for a commuter airline flying Cessna 402s and 337s to St. Louis and Kansas City.

He missed flying jets and in 1969 was recruited by the Montana Air National Guard (ANG) as an F-102 instructor pilot with the 186 FIS. When the unit transitioned to the F-106, he was the first pilot to locally check out and become operational in the jet. After four boys, Al and Ann happily adopted a baby girl, Beckie, in 1971. Al retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the MT ANG in January 1978 after serving as a liaison officer for two years with the 24 Air Division, Malmstrom AFB, MT.

In 1978, the family moved to Colorado Springs to start their next adventure. Never tiring of flying, he initially towed gliders at the Black Forest Glider Port and, lastly, at the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) until 2000. Al and Ann loved playing golf, boating on Pueblo Reservoir, sponsoring many USAFA cadets, and “snow-birding” in their recreational vehicle in Arizona, Florida, and Texas during the cold Colorado winters. He was active with the Elks, and the Roaming Elks, supporting St. Patrick’s and the Knights of Columbus.

Al was predeceased by his parents, Alphonse and Louise; brothers, Bert, George, and Ed; and sisters, Dorothy and Rosemary. His surviving brothers, Larry, and his wife, Paulette; and Tom, and his wife, Carol, all from Columbia, MO, have been a source of great strength and support over the years.

Al is survived by Ann, his loving wife of 68 years; their son, Greg, and his wife, Karen, of Sandia Park, NM; their granddaughter, Katelyn, and great grandchildren, Sophia and William; their granddaughter Audrey and her wife Alena; their granddaughter, Mary, and her husband, Alejandro, and great grandson, Juan Diego; their son, Doug, and his wife, Karen, of Colchester, VT, and grandson, Jetrick; their son, Jim, of Colorado Springs; their son, Mike, of Winchester, CA, and grandchildren, Cole and Makayla; and their daughter, Beckie, of Colorado Springs, and grandchildren, Dain and Britney.

Al will always be remembered as a quiet, honorable, and humble man. He was a phenomenal husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who truly loved the Lord. He will be dearly missed, but his survivors are comforted in knowing that Al now rests with God.

A Funeral Mass will be held on December 17, 2024 at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918. The Rosary will begin at 9:15 a.m., with Mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Military funeral honors and inurnment will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made through contributions to St. Patrick’s or the Silver Key Senior Services, 1625 S. Murray Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80916 (www.silverkey.com).