Gone West: Marion H. "Curly" Havelaar

Best known as "Curly", Marion was an early and long time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Antique Airplane Association. He was a member of local EAA Chapter 34 and member of the Texas Chapter, AAA. Curly was a storehouse of knowledge related to airplanes and a fine, self taught, machinist. Curly would never pass up the chance to help anyone with an aviation project. He was also a very devoted family man.

Marion H."Curly" Havelaar, 86, LT.Colonel, U.S.A.F. Retired, passed away July 26, 2010 after a long battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at his home in Arlington, Texas surrounded by his wife Patsy and close family members. Marion and Patsy were married 66 years ago in Ardmore, Oklahoma while Marion was in training before being deployed to fly combat missions for the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.

Marion was born on July 29, 1923 on a rural farm near Inwood, Iowa; the second son of an immigrant family, Dick and Gertrude Havelaar, who farmed in western Iowa and southeastern South Dakota.

His lifelong love and passion for aviation started when he saw his first airplane (a barnstormer) in a hay field near Hudson, South Dakota. In the early 1930's he received his first airplane ride in a Ford Tri-motor flown by the famous South Dakota barnstormer, Clyde Ice. Almost 50 years later, Marion had the privilege of giving Clyde Ice his last airplane ride in his restored award winning Waco during an air show in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Marion served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII and later with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and during the Vietnam War. He served his country for 29 years before retiring as a Lt. Colonel with the U.S. Air Force. His career was long and illustrious including assignments flying B-17 and B-29 combat missions in Europe during WWII and over Korea during the Korean Conflict. His career included assignments flying F-89 and F-101 fighter interceptors while with the Air Defense Command from the 1950's through the 1960's. Following his assignments with Air Defense Command, he served as a Staff Officer with the Airborne Command, Bossier City, Louisiana and with the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (CINCPAC) in Hawaii. His last active duty assignment was as a Unit Commander at Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1971.

After retiring, he and wife Patsy moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where he resided and pursued his hobby and lifelong passion of restoring and flying antique airplanes. His antique airplane accomplishments include the restoration of several historic airplanes resulting in receiving two coveted and revered Reserve Grand Champion awards at the EAA Air Venture Annual Convention and Fly-In. He was known internationally as "the expert" authority for the history and restoration of Antique Waco Airplanes. Marion also flew his historic, award winning antique Waco biplane in celebration of the South Dakota Centennial by replicating a historic statewide airmail flight culminating in a flyover of Mount Rushmore during the inauguration of Mount Rushmore by President George Bush. Marion is also remembered as a combat veteran, author, historian and expert on the famous U.S. Army Air Corps, 91st Bomb Group which gained fame during WWII and included such famous airplanes as "Memphis Belle" and "Shoo-Shoo Baby". He authored "The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingbourn" a history of the 91st Bomb Group, touted as the "best unit history" written about a WWII air combat unit.

Marion is survived by his wife Patsy Ruth Havelaar, Sons Thomas and Ronald, 2 Brothers, 4 Sisters 3 granddaughters, 2 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters.

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