Col Theodore Tipton Sendak Ret.

Theodore Tipton Sendak passed away peacefully among family on January 9th in Huntsville, Alabama. He was 81 years old.

Born in Gary, Indiana to Theodore L. Sendak and Tennessee (née Read) during the second World War, Ted was raised in an atmosphere of service. His father would depart for the Pacific theater in 1944 leaving his young family in Paradise, Texas. Theodore Senior would have a long career in the law and Hoosier politics.

Growing up in northern Indiana, Ted graduated from Crown Point High School and took a commission to the United States Military Academy, class of 1966 ("Fame will Mix with '66!") where he excelled on the West Point pistol team. Various assignments across the country and the world would mark a decorated career, first in Armor, finally finding a home in Army Aviation with which he would serve (amongst others) one tour in the Republic of Vietnam with the 3-17 Air Cav, a stint with NATO in Brussels, and would culminate in Battalion Commander 3-4 Cavalry (Schofield Barracks, Hawaii) and the Directorate of Combat Development - Aviation (Fort Rucker, Alabama).

Through thick and thin, and no less than 23 kitchens, his wife Christine supported all these moves and stations and assignments with aplomb and appreciable modesty. A bastion of poise and strength, she is also the author's mother, and did not raise a fool.

Retiring from active duty in 1992 as a Colonel, Ted and his family moved to Wall Township, New Jersey and later Huntsville, Alabama, for various civilian roles - roles that were always in proud support of the US soldier. Finally stepping back from these in 2020, Ted concentrated on his new roles as Gentleman Tree Farmer and world-class volunteer. Giving his time liberally to professional societies (AAAA, USAA, etc.), his church, Meals-on-Wheels, and other volunteer organizations became a keen focus of his effort to give back to his community.

Ted is survived by his wife of 58 years, Christine Louise (née Vincent); sons, Theodore Tipton, Jr. (Cathryn Anne née Ramos), Matthew Vincent (Hilary Leigh Funk); daughter, Catherine Elisabeth (David William Bergeron); and a plethora of close friends and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Madison Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the Army Aviation Association of America Scholarship Foundation in honor of COL Theodore T. Sendak, Ret. for the Sendak Family Scholarship. https://www.quad-a.org/Scholarship/Scholarship_FAQ.aspx