George William Kastner

GEORGE WILLIAM KASTNER "Tink"

George Kastner was born on July 16, 1919, in Fresno, CA and died with his loving family beside him on Saturday, April 1, 2006, at University Medical Center in Fresno, CA, as a result of a fall at his home on the previous day. Tink was the son of Christopher Kastner and Georgia Emma Bell, of Clovis. Tink's mother died four days after his birth, and he and his sister, Elizabeth, grew up in the household of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. J. Wise Browne of Clovis. His youthful education was received at Nees Colony School, Pollasky School, and Garfield School, after which he entered Clovis High School. While at Clovis High, Tink excelled in athletics, earning multiple varsity letters in both football and track. For many years he held the Clovis High half mile run record, and he was the Fresno County half mile champion in 1936 and again in 1937. Tink was involved in many other Clovis High activities as well, serving as Assistant Editor of the first Clovis High 'Cavalcade' yearbook and also as Student Body President. His very active life continued at Fresno State College, where he earned three varsity letters in track and was the Far Western Conference Champion in the mile run in 1939. In 1942 he graduated with a B.A. degree in History, but the most important event of his college career was his meeting his classmate Thelma Virginia Londgreen, of Fresno. In December, 1941 Tink entered the United States Army Air Force, completing pilot training in 1942 in Victoria, TX where he and Thelma were married on June 20th of that year. After further training in the United States, Tink went into combat with the 527th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 86th Fighter-Bomber Group (Dive) in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, ultimately flying 83 combat missions (the Mediterranean Theater record at the time)in a P-51A dive bomber. He returned to the United States a decorated soldier, and after various assignments, including being base commander in Lafayette, LA, Tink was discharged from the Air Force in 1945. His career as a history instructor and as a football and a track coach at Clovis High was interrupted by the Korean Conflict, and in January, 1951 he was recalled to active duty. He and his family traveled to many duty stations throughout the country, Tink eventually concluding his active tour at the Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NB. Tink remained in the Air Force Reserve, serving as Group Commander of the 9372nd Reserve Wing for Central California and Southern Nevada, retiring as a Colonel in 1979. Tink's civilian career was devoted to the Clovis Unified School District, where he served ably in many capacities, including as Director of Guidance, Vice-Principal, and Principal of Clovis High School, and then as Assistant Superintendent of the Clovis Unified School District. His final position was that of Associate Superintendent for Educational Services of Clovis Unified. Throughout this period he supported and worked with the Sequoia League and Yosemite League athletic organizations. He retired from the district in 1979 and received the greatest honor of his many careers--having Kastner Intermediate School named after him. He was always proud to be a Kastner Thunderbird. After his retirement from Clovis Unified, and Thelma's retirement from Fresno Unified, Tink to a took a 'part-time, temporary' job with the Cook family at Grundfos Pumps, and then worked there as Personnel Director for seven satisfying years. Within the community of Clovis, Tink was an active member the Clovis Rotary, including being a Paul Harris fellow. He was also a Mason and active in the Boy Scouts. He loved being part of the Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society, where he was honored as a "Living Legend." Tink was especially proud to have helped with the founding of the Old Town Clovis Farmer's Market. These commitments had to be fitted in between Tink and Thelma's many travels throughout the world, flying to distant places and cruising the oceans, often visiting far-flung family throughout the United States and in Europe. Most recently they sailed across the Atlantic and up major rivers of the Continent. Tink loved vacationing near home, too, and he spent many happy days fishing in Huntington Lake, visiting at Wawona, and watching the ocean waves from the family home in Santa Cruz. Tink's marriage to Thelma lasted 64 devoted years. Tink is also survived by his sons, George W. Kastner Jr. and his wife Victoria, and Eric C. Kastner and his wife Ann; grandchildren include Kevin Kastner and his wife Dena, Jason Kastner and his wife Jennifer, Krista Kastner and her fiancé Sinisa Domazet, Gage Kastner and his wife Inger, Brett Kastner, Abigail Kastner, and Cole Kastner; great-grandchildren are Tia and Ronika Rotsten, and Tavin and Blaise Kastner. Tink was never happier than when he was in the company of his family. A Memorial Service honoring Tink Kastner's life will be held at the Clovis United Methodist Church, 1726 Pollasky Avenue on Saturday, April 8, 2006, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following at Kastner Intermediate School, 7676 N. First Street in Fresno. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful if you would send donations to the Kastner Foundation at Kastner Intermediate School. NEPTUNE SOCIETYOF CENTRAL CACREMATION - MEMORIAL CHAPEL(559)222-7764 (800)225-1604 #1332