Oestricher, Phillip Philip F. Oestricher was born September 26, 1931 in Orlando, FL and died December 18, 2015 in Ft. Worth, TX. He attended St. James School, Orlando High School and Orlando Junior College before graduating from the University of Florida with a Masters in Engineering in 1953. He began his career as an active duty USMC aviator in 1953, retiring as a Lt. Col. and Commanding Officer of Reserve Squadron VMF(AW)- 112 in 1973. Phil worked at General Dynamics for 33 years where he was an Engineer, Test Pilot and Director of Flight Test. He made the first flight of the YF-16 in 1974. He retired in July 1992. A Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, he received the 1979 Iven C. Kincheloe Award for Outstanding Professional Accomplishment in Flight Testing. Phil's hobbies included model airplanes, motorcycling, fishing, and music. Phil is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia, 4 children and their families, his siblings Camille Flankey, Miriam Wagner, and Raymond Oestricher along with many friends.

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Published by Orlando Sentinel from Jan. 14 to Jan. 17, 2016.

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Phil with an F-16

Richard Newell

January 16, 2016

I met Phil Oestricher during the 90's through a Martin Marietta coworker (Ralph Merkle), who had grown up with Phil in Orlando and was a member of their model airplane club with him. At the time, Phil was living in Texas and had relatives living in Orlando. It was during one of his visits that I met him. The three of us would visit the RC flying club near Apopka and Phil would fly some of Ralph's RC airplanes and afterwards we would have lunch. It was during these lunches that I really got to know Phil as he would tell about his flying experiences in the Marines, as a test pilot and he would answer our aeronautical questions. He was a GREAT friend and as a fellow Marine, I say Semper Fi, God bless and I salute Phil on his final flight! To God be the glory!

January 15, 2016

Sincere condolences goes out to the Oestricher family for your sad loss. May GOD be with the family as you mourn the loss of Phillip.

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