ALFRED LESLIE MOSER

LT. COL. ALFRED LESLIE MOSER USAF RET. December 12, 1916-January 31, 2012

In the pre dawn hours of January 31st, Al Moser taxied to the runway, gave it full throttle and lifted off on his last mission here on earth.

Born in Vernon, B.C., the family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1923. He attended schools in the North Portland area. From an early age he was interested in aviation. At Benson Polytechnic High School he enrolled in technical aviation courses.

While attending the University of Oregon in 1941, the war broke out. Al entered the Army Air Corps, receiving his wings in 1942. He was sent to Louisiana and then Texas. On May 4, 1942, he married his hometown sweetheart, Mimi Knighton, in the chapel at Fort Crockett, Galveston.

A light bombardment group was formed and Al was made a Squadron Commander. Al shipped back to Louisiana to train in low level bombing with the A-20 HAVOC light bomber. Standard procedure for the A-20 was to make runs at 200 feet strafing and releasing anti personal bombs.

He spent his combat tour in New Guinea flying missions cleaning out the Japanese as they worked their way to the North of New Guinea so to launch attacks against the Philippines.

He was shot down, rescued, awarded the Silver Star, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart and more.

After Al flew 109 "authorized combat missions" and, in his own words, another 21 more for good measure, he was returned stateside. He would attain a MBA from the University of Michigan.

He retired from the Air Force in 1958 with over four thousand hours logged as a pilot. Al moved his family to Chico. He taught business math at Chico State for three years and worked as a Realtor until his retirement in 1981. He later worked with his son at Esplanade Furniture as chief dog walker and futon tester. He could be seen every day walking Sparky down the Esplanade. After every walk he would sit upright on a futon, with the dog sprawled out on his lap, swearing he was just resting his eyes and demanding to be paid for his time.

Al was active in the community. He was a member in the YMCA, Noon Exchange Club, (he gave the best invocations the Exchange Club ever will hear), a Toastmaster for 45 years, regular golfer at Bidwell. Al was especially proud of his membership in the Elks. "Best organization period Buster!"

He always had a smile on his face, hearty handshake, loud hello, politically incorrect jokes and limericks. He could beat every kid in the neighborhood at ping pong, grew the best gardens, and taught us all Scottish slang.

He was not the fisherman he professed to be but anyone who could fly a plane and do what he did for their country deserves to be cut a little slack. He was a great man and a great father.

Survivors include: wife of 69 years, Mimi; son, Dann Moser; brother, John Moser (Bea) Vancouver, Washington, and his sister, Betty Nunnery (Alex) Temecula.

He was preceded in death by his son, Marty; daughter-in-law, Vickie; his parents, and four sisters.

A service to honor Al's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home.

If you wish, a donation in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

You may share your memories online at nbcfh.com

Special thanks go to The Country Village in Chico for taking such loving care of Al these last two years. Your true devotion and love you showed him every day meant so much. Your tenderness in his final hours will never be forgotten. You don't get paid to do that. It's from the heart and his family sincerely thanks you.

Rest in peace Daddy.