Edmund A. Rafalko

1924 - 2016

USAF Retired Maj. Gen. Edmund A. Rafalko, beloved husband and father of father of five, military leader and command pilot, accomplished athlete and sports enthusiast, devoted and loyal friend, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the Church of the Incarnation at the University of Dallas, Dallas. Memorials: For those wishing to do so, donations may be made in memory of Edmund A Rafalko to the athletic departments of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. (Army A Club) or the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (Falcon Pride Club). Edmund Anthony Rafalko was born in Stoughton, Mass., on Aug. 6, 1924. He was an athletic standout, valedictorian of his class in 1942 and inducted into the Stoughton High School Hall of Fame for Extraordinary Achievement in 1986. Edmund graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1945 where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football and was selected an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press and the Sporting News. He was the last surviving starter of the first national champion football team of 1944. Highlights of his military career include welcoming President Eisenhower to Spain in 1959. While serving as the fourth director of Athletics at the Air Force Academy beginning in 1963, he established annual schedules with Army and Navy beginning in 1965 and helped design the field house. In 1967 he assumed command of his original SAC unit, the 2nd Bombardment Wing at Barksdale AFB, and while there, absorbed the 379th Wing from Dow AFB, creating the first B-52 Super Wing. Beginning in 1969 he served as strategic wing vice commander flying B-52s and KC-135s from U-Tapao, Thailand, completing 127 bombing and refueling missions and earning his third Legion of Merit and six Air Medals. In 1971, as base commander of Wright-Patterson AFB, he welcomed President Nixon to dedicate the Air Force Museum and overcame anti-war efforts to close the base and to disrupt operations. As Ogden Air Logistics Commander at Hill AFB, primary missions were expanded to include the newly acquired F-16, in addition to 2,800 F-4 aircraft, 1,000 Minuteman and 54 Titan intercontinental ballistic missiles. During his time in Utah, he collaborated with Frederick I. Herzberg to develop quality and cost efficiency programs. Following a highly distinguished military career, Maj. Gen. Rafalko retired from the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 1, 1977, earning the Distinguished Service Medal. His decorations include Legion of Merit with two oakleaf clusters, and six Air Medals among many other honors. At retirement he had flown more than 7,000 hours of military flying as command pilot. He earned a master's of arts in international affairs from George Washington University in 1962. Maj. Gen. Rafalko joined E-Systems in Salt Lake City, Utah, and then moved to their corporate headquarters in Dallas, as strategic planning director until his retirement in 1987. Maj. Gen. Rafalko continued his avid support of the military and athletics and remained active through his involvement with many organizations. Among them are the Falcon Foundation at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, the Fort Worth Air Power Council, the Military Ball in Dallas, the selection committee for nominations to the three military academies on behalf of Congressman Dick Army of Texas, the Service Academy Golf Classic, the North Texas Association of West Point Graduates, the Air Force Association, the Order of Deadalians, the Aviation Heritage Association and the Executive Council of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas. Edmund remained an avid golfer until very recently, having shot below his age on three occasions, at ages 71, 84 and 86. Survivors: He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 63 years, Kathryn (Renee); children, Christine Marie, Celia Ann and her husband, J. Rick Sample, Madelene Louise and her husband, Sam Steele, Edmund Anthony Jr. and Marie Consuelo; grandchildren, Michelle Marie and her husband, Eric L. Olson, Christopher Lee Mayhall and his wife, Shonlee; and four great-grandchildren.