DONALD WINGFIELD HOBART Colonel-USAF, retired

Our world will be a lesser place with Don's passing. Our love and sympathies go to Betty and the entire Hobart family.

Dick and Sloopy

Bettie ..

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Don was a man's commander - in all my years of service, I was indeed lucky - and more than that - fortunate to have had him as my Commander. I only flew with Don once - I'm a back seater - and it was into North Vietnam - and in combat, Don was one cool character and because of his leadership, he kept me calm as well and focused on the mission.

The pain will subside, but the memory of your great guy will never fade - neither in your mind nor ours.

Bettie, You'll have to think back a long time to remember my name. We worked together at Menchaca Elementary. I was Jackie Manley back then but married George 4 years ago so now I'm Jackie Vanderhule. I worked in the office and ended up retiring in January 2011 after 22 years. I was so sorry to hear about Don. George & I both have such fond memories of both you & Don. George always enjoyed talking with Don at school functions. I always think of you every year at Christmas time when I'm decorating my tree. You gave me an ornament on year that is very special to me. Take care & you and your family have been in my thoughts.

Dear Aunt Bettie Sue:
I am so sorry and shocked to hear of Uncle Don's passing.. I wish I would have known.. I don't know what to say, except he was loved, admired, and highly respected..He was so supportive of me in the loss of my husband and then his brother Harry.
With my deepest sympathy, his loving niece;
Vivian Hobart Beck

Bettie, Debra and Donna, We are so very sorry for your loss, Don was My great Uncle and my mom Saras Uncle, Don was a very good Person and a great inspiration to me, I remember the times he helped me with my homework when he was in visiting Grace, May God give you the peace you need at this time of sorrow, May he rest in peace, he will never be forgotten

Bettie -- So sorry to hear of your loss. Dick and I are not able to be with you in Houston for the services, but our love and thoughts are with you. You and Don have always been special to us. I'll miss my hugs from Don.

Bettie -- All my sympathy is with you and your family. Don was the best commander that I served with in the USAF. He was a combat leader, but was also a father figure to all of us.

My name is Jim Bauser - USAF 1963-1968 (Fuels Officer) , and Jerry McCluer is my cousin-in-law . He asked me to go to represent him at the funeral in Houston. Best wishes to the family , friends , and to all the Black Sheep . I would certainly love to have had Col. Hobart as commander during my time in service. He surely was a great and wonderful man. It was a great pleasure to meet and talk to many of you at the funeral. God be with all of you , who did so much for us in your careers .

Dear Bettie, Mardi and I are so sorry to hear about Don's death. He was a good friend, and I will miss him and the help he gave me with the Military Service Coalition. He did so much for the veterans in Austin. ... You are in our prayers. Love,

Colonel Hobart was a wonderful volunteer and director of the Retiree Activities Office at Camp Mabry. He will be missed. We are all sorry for your loss.

Bettie, We loved Don, miss him, and we will be thinking of you through this really tough time and always. Take care of yourself. Love ...

May the many wonderful memories you shared with Don help you through this difficult time. He touched so many of our lives and will be sorely missed. Fondly ...

Bettie, I wish I could support you as much as you and Don were there for me when Bill died. Even though I can't be with you in person, know my thoughts are with you. I've missed seeing both of you at the ACES parties. Especially, I miss those touching, entertaining prayers of Don's. We had two wonderful men, didn't we?

Dear Bettie, We are so sorry for your loss. Don was a wonderful man, friend and leader. My admiration really grew for him when he got the wives together in May of 1972 and promised to bring all the guys back home from Thailand. His words gave me confidence, even though I knew no mortal could really give that promise. Thankfully, they all came home as promised.
I admire you, Bettie, for your caring heart and how you kept us all together. I know Don was proud of you. You were the ideal commander's wife. I know Barry respected Don very much. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Bettie and family, I am sorry for your loss. We all loved Don for the many things he did with and for us all. With love --

Dear Bettie, We are so sorry to hear about Don and your loss. He was true Air Force blue. he gave so much to so many after he retired that we always knew who to ask about post retirement activities. We in the ACES have missed our real Santa Claus. He is missed and will always be in our thoughts. Our prayers are with you and Don. Love --

Bettie, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and for Don. Don was our friend and a wonderful person. Blessings and peace be with you and your family.

Dear Bettie and all the Hobarts,

So sorry to hear the news about Don. He was one of my favorite patients, and a great man. He will be dearly missed. God bless ...

I know you've heard it all before, but we'll all miss Don a lot. He was absolutely the finest commander, leader and friend I ever knew. Take care and God Bless!

Bettie and family, We send our love and prayers to you upon the loss of our Dear Don. He will be missed by many. We will always treasure the wonderful memories as neighbors! We pray for comfort for each of you. God Bless ...

Bettie, Don was a good friend and, I know, a good husband and father. We'll all miss him. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Don was a great guy with a big heart. He helped so many people. He will be missed.

Bettie and family, Please accept my condolences in the loss of Don. Don was a true hero and patriot. His leadership in everthing he became involved with was truly outstanding. He will be missed by all. God Bless --

Bettie, We were sad to hear of Don's passing. We have so many happy memories of the two of you as neighbors as those will stay in our hearts. May God bless you and keep you well so you can enjoy your daughters and grandchildren. We care about you.

It is with sincerest regrets that we offer our deepest sympathy on the loss of "the Boss." Surely the Lord has called one of his greatest leaders to serve a different assignment. We will miss Don. Truly, he will never be forgotten. Blessings to you and yours ... Very respectfully, Nolan and Diana

Bettie, You have our deepest sympathy on the passing your beloved Don. He as a man bigger than life and had a profound affect on us as a friend, leader, and role model. Our condolences to you and your daughters. Our prayers are with you.

The Lord made few men so honored as Col. Hobart. Fewer men still instilled the respect and admiration he did. In your tears, take stock to celebrate the love he created in his adopted sons.

Cannot tell you how sorry I was to hear about Don Hobart. John and I had the greatest respect and love for him. ... He surely leaves a big hole in the Black Sheep Squadron, as he WAS the Black Sheep Squadron. John and I always remembered his last briefing before you headed overseas... I promise we will all come back, and he kept his promise. Give our best to Bettie and family. Love --

...Though I didn't know Don as well as most of you guys, having been at Ubon while you were at Takhli, I have a great deal of respect for his clear leadership abilities and lasting impact on so many of you. Our thoughts and most especially our prayers are with his family and all who mourn his loss in the coming days. Blessings ...

Regarding Don's promise to bring all the Black Sheep home from Thailand:

A couple of us with multiple tours in SEA were in the back of the room and whispered to each other, "Ah, Boss, don't promise that -- even YOU can't pull THAT off!" Well -- he did!

Maralene and I are deeply saddened at the Boss's passing, and we want to express our prayers and condolences to his family. ... I am listening to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" and remembering the good times and trying times wre all shared as Black Sheep. We have lost a great friend and mentor. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Black Sheep in this time of great sorrow. Please lift a glass for me and toast the Great Pumpkin for me.

Gerry and I were saddened by the passing of the "boss" and a great leader. We will miss him but never forget him. ... our condolences to the family.

Don Hobart took risks to provide young guys opportunities. He took risks to give the wives hope we would all return ... a beloved man with a big laugh and a soft heart. He made us all proud and our squadron great! Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hobart family and all the Black Sheep.

This is the news I didn't want to hear. We are going to miss "the Boss" in the most profound way. ... Someday we'll all join our Boss' formation when finally called. It was truly an honor to have served with him and the Sheep.

We have all lost a good friend and the best commander I ever flew for! We would have followed him on any mission without question! Our prayers go with his family as well as the Black Sheep. I will be unable to attend in person but will be there in spirit.

I am sad he is gone and so greatful he is part of my life with memories that I will carry forever. We lost a good friend and boss.

Don Hobart, may you rest in peace!

We have all lost a dear friend. My proudest moments and remembrances are serving as a flight commander under Don. He led us in combat with wisdom. He promised the wives when we left Holloman that he would bring all of his men home safely and with pride. He did. I was privileged to fly his wing. Two!

I will miss our commander and friend. I pray for comfort and peace for Bettie, her family, and all the Black Sheep.

...Marcia and I are "heart broken" but we know that we will get to see him again when there are no partings, even temporary. May the Peace that passes all understanding comfort Bettie and his daughters.

The world has lost one of its extraordinary people with the passing of Don. Not withstanding the loss to the family, those of us who had the privilege of working directly with him had the opportunity of seeing leadership in action. Add to this the unique contributions Bettie made to Don's career and the morale and welfare of the Black Sheep, we had the benefit of seeing how good things can and should be from both ends. My most sincere thanks and condolences to the family and to all of us who share in this loss. Godspeed Don, we love you. I'm sure Heaven is a better place now that you're about to take over ...

Don and I worked together in the real estate business in Austin back in the 90's, what a great man! Being an Army veteran, I loved every story that Don would tell about his days as a fighter pilot, may he rest in peace.

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On behalf of I.P. Sarge Bell Memorial Post 3377 (VFW) and its members we want to offer our deepest condolences to the family for our fallen brother. May he rest in peace.. Tito Sabana - Post Commander - Manchaca, Tx.

Bettie and Family,
Don was the finest Squadron Commander I ever served under, and one of the greatest leaders I ever encountered. We all tried to emulate his style as we moved through our military careers. He will be remembered and recognized by toasts so long as there is still a Blacksheep alive. Our deepest condolences for your loss.

As a friend and fellow football official of Pete Hamilton I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Colonel Hobart. I did not know Don but I truly respect and honor his duty to our country. Thank You Sir!

Bettie and family,

It is with sincerest regrets that we offer our deepest sympathy on the loss of "the Boss." Surely the Lord has called one of his greatest leaders to serve a different assignment. We will miss Don. Truly, he will never be forgotten. Blessings to you and yours.

Very Respectfully,
Nolan and Di

Thank you, Don, for your service to our country.

Dear Betty & Family - Jim & I thought the world of Don - and of you as well. Please know our hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. With love, Debbie & Jim LaChance