Louis Foltzer Obituary
(May 3, 1942 – August 17, 2024)
Commander Foltzer, my dad, left us peacefully early in the morning August 17, 2024. He had a long and frustrating battle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and we're glad he's no longer suffering. Although he's terribly missed already, he left his mark on each of us in his own way and with regard to us as individuals.
Commander Foltzer was fascinated with electronics at a young age and would take things apart to see how they worked; sometimes fixing a problem, or even creating something new from the parts. We always knew where to turn if a device broke; he invariably knew the fix. He even built us a train village to go under our Christmas tree with working street lights, whistles, alarms and smoke. I fondly recall watching him put it together.
He was interested in aviation and any and all flying vehicles which led him to serve his country in the United States Navy. Commander Foltzer served as the commanding officer of the VAW-125 Tigertails E2 squadron with tours of duty aboard the USS Kennedy and the USS Forrestal. After retiring from the Navy Commander Foltzer went to work for Lockheed Martin and then later for Westinghouse in their airships division. Airships intrigued him and he decided to design his own lightweight airship to be used for cargo transport and surveillance.
He was a very religious man and Christmas was his favorite holiday. He insisted on decorating the house like something from the cover of Better Homes and Gardens every year. He took great pride in creating the perfect Christmas for friends and family.
Commander Foltzer is preceded in death by his wife Doris Lane (2005) and his brother Larry Foltzer (2024).
He leaves behind his spouse Ralph H. Wilkinson, a son Lenny Foltzer, a daughter Angel Foltzer, several grand children and great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
"Fair Winds and Following Seas"
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Mark Halvorson AVCM (Ret)
June 4, 2025
Lou was my division officer in VAW-125 in the early 70's. Lou was the smartest man I ever served with. I had the pleasure of flying with him many times. One memory i had of him was that he always had a stash of Coca Cola. The ship would be ought of it for weeks and he would show up with a cold Coke in his hand. Never could find that stash. I last talked to him when he was working on hybrid aircraft. Rest easy, Shipmate. You are missed.
Bob McClendon
June 4, 2025
Very sorry to hear we've lost Lou - one of the brightest and most interesting men I've known! I'll never forget the image of Lou riding his bicycle with a parrot on his shoulder riding backward so that the wind could blow up his tailfeathers!
Bill McCarthy
May 4, 2025
My condolences to the Foltzer family. Skipper Foltzer was my commanding officer in VAW-125. He challenged us every day to seek better ways to do everything from admin to air control. He was truly a genius! He was devoted to his family and to the country! He always did what he believed was the right thing to do regardless of the cost. You should be very proud of your Dad and his service. Godspeed Skipper! - Bill McCarthy
CDR Michael K. Ungerman, USN, (Ret)
May 4, 2025
I met Lou while assigned to the Navy's Airborne Early Warning Squadron 13, stationed in Argentia, Newfoundland, in 1964. We flew together in the Lockheed Warning Star, EC-121. He was a Combat Information Center Officer (CICO) and I was a Navigator. As mentioned by others, he was deep into electronics and finding out how things ticked. On one flight, the radar cooling motor failed, and after one of our crew member risked his life to crawl down under the floorboards of our aircraft, put the fire out, and retrieve the motor, Lou retrieved the motor and took it apart to figure out why it failed, and how the design could be improved to prevent future failures.
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Richard Malla
May 4, 2025
Rest in peace shipmate.
Brad Hodges
August 23, 2024
I first met Lou in 2005 at a meeting where he expounded on the many qualities of "hybrid" air flight. His passion was infectious! As a pilots, we spent many hours and thousands of miles in efforts to improve designs, advance applications and secure necessary funding.
As Lou's health became more challenging, our conversations were less frequent, but he would always engage and offer new ideas. I will greatly miss his superior intellect and humor!
I know he is with the Lord and now at peace!
Gregory Gottlieb
August 23, 2024
I first met Lou in 1991. Over the following couple of decades our paths crossed many times - always in connection with airships. Lou was there for me as an advisor, always willing to listen to new ideas - as long as I was willing to listen to him expounding the virtues of nuclear powered airships, his passion! I miss his encyclopedic knowledge of airship technology and history, and his wise guidance.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
Kyle Crawford
August 22, 2024
Lou was a great friend for over 40 years ! I first met Lou at Westinghouse in 1983 as part of the Airship business team. Lou and I shared a passion for the Airship business that stretched from Westinghouse, Airship Industries, Lockheed, SkyCat, Hybrid Aircraft and others. Lou was truly a leader, a mentor, and a great friend to many. He will be greatly missed.
My best wishes all his family in their time of sorrow. I will remember many great times curtesy of Lou.
"Fairwinds Winds and Fallowing Seas my good friend, until we meet again"
Kyle Crawford
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167 Ridgewood Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32117
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