David S. Lutz

Chief Master Sergeant David S. Lutz, USAF, Retired, passed away on December 14, 2023 at 1550 Pantops Mountain Place, Apartment 109, Charlottesville, VA 22911. Dave was born on March 7, 1931 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, the son of Paul L. Lutz and Sara Yocum Lutz both of whom preceded him in death. He grew up in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from high school in the class of 1949. Chief Lutz enlisted in the Air Force and was graduated from the Embry Riddle School of Aviation in Opa Locka, Florida in the field of aviation maintenance (F-51 aircraft) and served a three-year tour in Germany on Neubiberg and Spangdahlem Air Force bases (RF-80 Jet aircraft). His honorable discharge from the Air Force enabled him to obtain a degree in Food Technology from the State University of New York (1957). He continued his Air Force experience in the Air Force Reserves (three years), and joined the Virginia Air National Guard in 1963. In 1959, he married the love of his life, Delores E. Harding of Muncy, PA and joined Morton Frozen Foods (later DelMonte) as a Quality Control Supervisor. In his 24 years with DelMonte, he advanced to Manager, Standards, Formulas and Regulatory Affairs; retiring in 1985. Paralleling his DelMonte employment, he continued his Air Force career by joining Virginia’s Air National Guard (Richmond) in 1963. (F-84 and F-105 aircraft). After serving in Aircraft Maintenance Quality Control, he became the First Sergeant of the 192nd Tactical Fighter Group until 1984 at which time he was promoted to Senior Enlisted Advisor (later Command Chief Master Sergeant) and transferred to Virginia State Military Headquarters Byrd Field where he remained until his retirement in 1987. Following his retirement, Dave helped form and later was president of Charlottesville’s William A Jones III chapter of the Air Force Association and was a life member of the Institute of Food Technologists, The American Legion, and The Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Dave is survived by his wife of 64 years, a daughter and two sons; Ann Lutz McMullen and her husband, Stanley of Herndon, Virginia; David Paul Lutz and his wife Angelika Sweitzer of Alexandria, Virginia; and Eric Harding Lutz and his wife, Jodi of Ashburn, Virginia. A sister, Patricia Anne, predeceased him in 2012. Dave and Delores have four grandchildren.

The family requests no visitation, flowers or funeral at the home. Donations may be made to the Cardiac Department of the Martha Jefferson Hospital.

Teague Funeral Home will provide cremation. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date with memorial services provided by the Air Force.