Fred L. Beissner Jr.

NEWPORT NEWS - Fred L. Beissner, Jr., a resident of Newport News since 1972, passed away on July 28, 2015 at the age of 87. Predeceased by his parents, Fred L. Beissner, Sr., and Lucille Smith Beissner, and his younger brother, Kenneth C. Beissner, Fred is survived by his wife of nearly 47 years, Karen S. Beissner; his four children from his first marriage: Sherri Lynn Beissner of California, Kenneth C. Beissner, and wife Colleen Pilliod of Virginia, Mark S. Beissner, and wife Kim of California, and Fred L. Beissner, III (Trey) of Arizona; his three grandchildren: Jeremy J. Beissner and Heather L. Beissner of California, and Fred L. Beissner, IV of Arizona; and his former daughter-in-law, Sonia Beissner of Arizona. Born in Houston, Texas and raised in San Antonio, Fred graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1946, and was accepted into the Army Air Corps Cadet program at Texas A&M. Because of his interest in airplanes, he moved on to Pilot training, flying B-29 Bombers. During the Korean Conflict, he was based in Okinawa and completed over 40 missions as Co-Pilot. In October, 1951, his plane was one of many B-29s shot down in "MiG Alley" in a battle over Namsi. After leaving the Air Force, Fred attended the University of Texas, earning an Aeronautical Engineering Degree, followed by a Master's Degree from Southern Methodist University. During his working career, Fred was employed at Convair, General Dynamics, and Ling-Temco-Vaught in Texas before coming to Virginia as a Contractor for 22 years with LTV and Lockheed-Martin at NASA Langley. Fred donated his body to the Virginia State Anatomical Program. At his request, no Memorial Service is planned. The family suggests donations to a favorite charity if friends desire.