Philip D. Arbogast

ARBOGAST, Philip D.
CMSgt, USAF, (Ret.)
Born in Minneapolis, MN to Francis B. and Helen A. (Chute) Arbogast on March 17, 1933. He succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 75 after a five-year struggle in Sacramento, CA on Sept. 11, 2008. Survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Tsuneko, son Steven F., daughter-in-law Sandra, of San Francisco, daughter Louise A. Arbogast of Redlands, CA, and his three sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty Lou Wright, Vernon, of Spokane, WA, Cynthia Lower, Beaumont, of Bellevue, WA and Sally Ann Bean, William, of Veradale, WA, plus numerous nieces and nephews. He moved West with his family following WWII to Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. He attended schools in Coeur d'Alene, ID, Spokane, and was a graduate of the Post Falls High School, Post Falls Idaho, class of 1951, where he was Senior Class President. Following high school he was employed by General Mills Inc, Spokane, prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force. He retired from the USAF in the grade of Chief Master Sergeant at Mather AFB, Sacramento, CA, after proudly serving his country for thirty years. He was a veteran of the Cold War having served in both the Korean and the Vietnam conflicts. He was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations during his long career, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, w/2 OLC, Korean Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal w/4 battle stars. He was a graduate of both the Command NCO and the Air Force Senior NCO Academies. He met his wife in April 1954 while assigned duty near her home of Shizuoka City, Japan. They were married September 6, 1957. She accompanied him on his many varied assignments, which included three more assignments to Japan where he served on the islands of Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Honshu. Additional tours of duty included Washington State, Florida, several in California, Thailand, and England. His last overseas assignment was with the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, as Superintendent, Management and Procedures Branch, Base Supply. Following his Air Force retirement he was employed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation (now Lockheed/Martin), Sunnyvale, California, as a Senior Logistics Analyst in support of the Trident I and II missile program. He retired from Lockheed after almost fourteen years with the company. He was a member of the Air Force Association, American Legion, Air Force Sergeants Association, and the Retired Enlisted Association. Friends are welcome for services on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at 10:00 am at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Ln., Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ''V'' Foundation for cancer research, 106 Towerview Ct., Cary NC 27513.