Elton Henry Tonsing

Tonsing, Elton Henry, 88, of Ballwin, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017, at home.

Loving survivors include his wife of 60 years, Janice (Parson) Tonsing; his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Robert and Sara Tonsing of Pueblo, Colorado; his daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Jeffrey Russell of Town and Country, Missouri; his five grandchildren Andrew, Alexander, and Daniel Tonsing and Erin and Andrew Russell; his nephew Roger Bjorkquist and his wife Linda Bjorkquist of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania; his niece Nancy Sairsingh and her husband Dr. Krister Sairsingh of Moscow, Russia; his Swedish “daughters” Linda Svensson Buvari, Anneli Svensson, and Jennie Svensson of Falkenberg, Sweden; and many friends.
Al was born March 9, 1929, in Clarence, New York, the son of Henry Wilhelm and Agnes Berghorn Tonsing. He was a graduate of Parker High School where he was recognized for his exceptional trumpet-playing skills.
He earned a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Buffalo in 1950.
He began his career as an aerospace engineer at Bell Aircraft Corporation in Buffalo, New York. He then worked for Martin in Denver, Colorado, and later moved to St. Louis for a job at McDonnell Douglas. He finished his career working for the U.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command (ATCOM) in St. Louis.
During the Korean War era, he served in the Army. He worked with missiles and spent the last part of his army career playing the trumpet in the 62d Army Band at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Throughout his life, Al enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and all things Swedish. Though he was of German descent, he served as an officer of the Swedish Council of St. Louis for many years. He was awarded the organization’s Outstanding Service Award in 2012.
He was involved in Scouting, serving as treasurer of Troop 631 for a number of years, and he was especially proud that his son and all of his grandsons are Eagle Scouts.
Al was a dedicated family man who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren in special places such as Kiawah Island in South Carolina and “Camp Tonsing” in his living room.
He will be remembered for his unconditional love, his warm sense of humor, and his open, friendly personality.
Services: A memorial service will be held Monday, July 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in Chesterfield. Interment will be at Oakmont Cemetery in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. Visitation will be Sunday, July 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Schrader Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Road in Ballwin. If desired, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or the USO. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.