Lt. Col. Eugene D Rossel

Lt. Col. Eugene David Rossel, beloved husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Brother, and Proud Veteran, passed away peacefully on May 3rd, 2025, surrounded by family in Loma Linda, CA at the age of 87. Born on July 14th, 1937, during the Great Depression in Okawville, Illinois. Eugene was raised in a close-knit Catholic family in Mascoutah, Illinois. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1955 and went on to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering from Saint Louis University. Upon graduation in 1959, Eugene joined the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant, beginning a distinguished 28-year military career. As a radar officer and decorated veteran, he served his country with honor in Vietnam, Panama, Laos, and Spain and visited over 80 countries during his service. He lived his dream of seeing the world, circling the globe three times, and was awarded 18 medals and decorations in recognition of his service. In 1970, Eugene was stationed at Torrejon Air Force Base in Spain before being reassigned to the Los Angeles Air Force Station in CA to support the space shuttle program. He later worked at the Ballistic Missile Office at Norton Air Force Base. He retired from the Air Force in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following his military retirement, Eugene continued his work as an engineer in the aviation and computer industries. A man of curiosity and intellect, he was an avid writer and published the book USAF Air Commando Secret Wars: From Laos to Latin America. He was working on a second book at the time of his passing. Eugene maintained daily connections with his military and civilian friends, sharing camaraderie and stories. He was a longtime resident of Chino, CA, since 1979 and cherished his mornings at Flo's Airport Café with his fellow veterans, recounting memories and building new ones. Eugene was a proud member of numerous military organizations, including the Air Commando Association, American Legion, VFW, FAC Association, and Air America and many others. He is survived by his wife Anne Handberry-Rossel; his children Carlos Jeronimo of Spain, Ana Rossel-Laughlin and husband Palmer Laughlin of Chino, CA and Anthony Rossel of Chino, CA. His Grandchildren Payton Laughlin-Pothe of Santa Barbara,CA, Palmer Laughlin (Gage) of Chino,CA and Ana and Marta Jeronimo of Spain; and his great-grandson Jett Pothe. He is also survived by his brother Jerome Rossel and sister Ruth Begley. He was preceded in death by his siblings Maurice "Pud" Rossel, Blanche Rossel-Wolff, Lawrence Rossel, and Mary Sullivan and by his parents, Anthony and Anna Trost Rossel. Eugene was a man of integrity, passion, and deep patriotism. He enjoyed opera, theater, traveling, writing, and most of all, his family. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the stories he shared, and the love he gave so freely. A military service honoring Eugene was held on May 28, 2025, at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, California, where a stone has been placed in his honor. A second service will be held in his hometown on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM, at St. Barbara Catholic Cemetery in Okawville, IL. Military graveside rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 233 of Okawville. The Campagna Funeral Home is handling local arrangements. He will be truly missed and forever remembered. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Lt. Col. Eugene D Rossel, please click here to visit our sympathy store.