Theodor Philipp Lechner Jr.

1930 - 2022

Theodor Philipp Lechner Jr.
May 16, 1930 - October 21, 2022
Sacramento, California - Ted was born in New York City, New York to Rose Theresa Philipp and Theodor Lechner on May 16, 1930. Ted grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey and Baldwin Long Island, NY with his parents and sister Rosemarie. From a very early age he was fascinated by airplanes. Luckily, he lived close to the Grumman Factory and Aircraft Test Facility at Bethpage, Long Island.
Ted enlisted in the Air Force in July of 1951. Shortly after, Ted was persuaded to go on a blind date through his friend Ed Walling. He didn't realize it but he would meet the love of his life that night. Ted met Mary Elizabeth Sullivan on a Hudson River Cruise embarking from NYC. Years later Mary would say, "The only reason I agreed to the blind date was that it involved a boat!"
After 4 years in the Air Force and a "long distance relationship" Mary and Ted were married on Long Island July 31, 1955. Like clockwork the stork delivered their first child, Mary Ellen, in November 1956. Two years later, Carolyn arrived. Shortly afterward the entire family, including Grandma Lorretta, went on their first big adventure…the Air Force sent them to Turkey.
The family lived off base in an apartment building. Ted was always kind to everyone and willing to help others. The electricity in Turkey was unreliable and one day in early evening the power went out to the whole block. Ted went out and inspected the situation. With everyone watching and counting on him, he climbed up the power pole and fixed the problem. The whole group cheered.
Georgia was next followed by Texas where Melissa and Teddy were born. While Ted enjoyed the Air Force it was hard when he was sent on year long TDYs which meant he was away from family for a year at a time. The family stayed in Washington State while Ted went ahead to the Philippines. The family had great adventures in both the Philippines and Okinawa before returning to the US. The family eventually came to Mather AFB in Sacramento, CA and that was their last stop.
Ted was a master aircraft electrician. Over his career he worked on the B-52, C-123, KC-135, F-111, F-86 and the F-84. Also a gifted instructor, Ted would teach entire squadrons on aircraft maintenance. He reached the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and received the National Defense Service Medal among other awards. Ted retired from the Air Force in 1975. He then worked as a civilian for McClellan Air Force Based working on F-111s for several more years. He loved to work on planes and also enjoyed flying his beloved 1946 Ercoupe plane.
Ted died peacefully in his home on October 21 2022. He is survived by his wife Mary and children Mimi, Carolyn, Melissa and Teddy. He is also survived by his grand-children Michael, Nick, Alisa, Karina, Matthew, Andrew, Gabriel, Declan and Logan. A private burial will be announced at a later date.