Lt. Col. Haldane King

King Lt. Col. Haldane King USAF (Retired) passed from this world on July 2, 2013 at the age of 91. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 8, 1921 the sixth of seven children in the family of Charles and Estelle (Stansberry) King. An outstanding high school basketball player, Haldane earned an athletic scholarship to Long Island University where he played on championship teams under Coach Clair Bee. In early 1942, he volunteered for military service in World War II, entering pilot training in Tuskegee, Alabama as a member of the first class (43J) of African American bomber pilots in the Army Air Corps. Following his military service, Haldane returned to New York and became one of the first African Americans to join the New York Fire Department, as a member of an Engine Company. He was recalled into the newly integrated Air Force in 1950 and went to Germany as part of the Army of Occupation after WWII. Over the next 19 years, his military career then took him and his family to assignment in Maine, Germany, California and eventually to the Pentagon where he retired from active service. Haldane King then began a career in private industry and public service as the Executive Director of Philadelphia's Mercy Douglas Hospital, where his mother had been a nurse before his birth. He also worked and retired from the Delaware River Port Authority as a Director. With his wife, Jean, he moved to Florida and enjoyed an active retirement until her passing until 2001. He lived with his daughter and her family in Elizabeth City, North Carolina for several years and was very active speaking at local schools and community events sharing about his time served in the military. In 2004, Haldane married Brigitte Twomey of Lady Lakes, Florida. His advancing Alzheimer's illness necessitated a stay at an assisted care facility in Columbus, Ohio, near his son. Haldane King is survived by his wife, and four children, Haldane Ernest (Marjorie) of San Rafael, California, Stephen Dwight (Iris) of Dublin, Ohio, Janis Camille (Denauvo Robinson) of Elizabeth City, North Carolina and Bruce Edward (Eileen) of Aberdeen, New Jersey; his grandchildren, Haldane three, Leah, Veronica, Dwight, Devire', Camille and Kia Ayn; and five great-grandchildren. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Contributions in lieu of flowers, to your local Alzheimer's Association are appreciated.