Col Mark C. "Ret" Hiebert USAF

Colonel Mark Hiebert, USAF (Ret.) 1957-2025

Colonel Mark Hiebert, United States Air Force (Retired), age 67, passed away on November 2, 2025. A lifelong Air Force aviator, devoted husband, and proud patriot, Mark lived every day with purpose, integrity, and an unshakable love for his family and country.

From a young age, Mark knew he was destined to fly jets. Bom in Houston, Texas, to Don and Diane Hiebert, he was inspired by his father, a USAF Navigator stationed at Ellington AFB, and his Uncle Bob, a U.S. Navy Navigator. When Mark was two, the family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended Randallstown High School, graduating in 1975. He was accepted into the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Maryland, fulfilling the first step toward his lifelong dream.

Commissioned in 1980, Mark began his Air Force career as a navigator, completing Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB in Sacramento, Califomia. His first assignment was with the 91 st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas, flying the RF-4C "Phantom." During his four years there, he earned his Weapon Systems Officer and RF-4 Instructor ratings and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.

It was at Bergstrom where Mark met Linda, a photo processing specialist in the Air Force. The two shared a love of adventure and aviation, and they married in 1984 - a parmership that would span more than 41 years.

With over 1 ,000 flight hours logged in the RF-4, Captain Hiebert was selected to transition to the

F-111 "Aardvark." Following training at Mt. Home AFB, Idaho, he joined the 493rd Tactical

Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. In 1991, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Captain Hiebert flew 25 combat missions over Iraq. For his extraordinary aerial achievement, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Subsequent assignments took Mark and Linda across the globe - to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, where he served with the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General and later at the Joint Intelligence Center. While stationed there, the couple completed the Honolulu Marathon together in 1993, and Mark ran a second marathon in 1996. Mark was an avid runner, and he and Linda ran marathons and many 10K and 5K fun runs together over the many years of their marriage.

Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Mark commanded the 604th Air Support Operations Squadron,

7th Air Force, Republic of South Korea. His later career included positions at the Pentagon and

U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida, where he served as Senior Liaison Officer during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 2005 and retired from active duty in 2009 after 30 years of distinguished service.

After retirement, Mark worked as a Department of Defense contractor for one year before joining Linda at their home in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida. There, he embraced a new chapter of community, family, and passion for fitness-working with his sister Denise and brother-in-law Donald at their business, the Running Zone in Melbourne.

Mark also volunteered for more than a decade as a guide at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch pads and museum, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for aviation and space history. His lifelong love of flight was reflected throughout his home, where an impressive collection of squadron patches, aircraft models, and aviation memorabilia paid tribute to his remarkable career. He was an avid modeler, and over his 41 years with Linda built many of the military aircraft models displayed in their home.

Mark and Linda shared a deep bond with family and enjoyed more than 23 years in their Indian Harbour Beach home before moving to Viera in 2024.

Colonel Mark Hiebert will be remembered for his dedication, humility, and steady strength - a man whose service, mentorship, and love for life touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. His legacy will continue to inspire his family, friends, and fellow Airmen for generations to come.

Colonel Mark Hiebert is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 41 years, Linda Hiebert. He is also survived by his sisters, Donalee Tingley and her husband Bobby, and Denise Piercy and her husband Donald. His cherished uncle, Commander Robert Becker, USN (Ret.), along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, also hold his memory dear.

A Celebration of Life memorial is scheduled for Friday, January 16, 2025 at 1100 am, with reception immediately following. Service will be held at Church at Viera, 9005 N. Whickam Rd, Melbourne, Fl 32940.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org/donate/ or The Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org.