Tom Heitz, PAVE LOW Crew Chief

Tom Heitz of Mary Esther, FL passed away Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

Tom was born in Chicago on Feb. 4, 1942, to William Heitz and Ethel (Riley) Heitz. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. He loved to fish and loved his dogs, Molly, Daisy and Little Bit.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen; daughter, Tracey; son, Jerry; sisters, Helen, Colleen and Maxine; brothers, Bill, Fred, Jim and John Heitz. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jeannie A. Heitz of Mary Esther; daughter, Sandra D. Sliger (Robert); granddaughter, Heather Sliger of Roswell, Ga.; grandson, Robert Sliger of Roswell; great granddaughter, Alice and her mother, Christina; sister, Jacqueline Randolph of Marion, N.C.; half-sisters, Grace, Delores and Agatha; half-brother, Dick Heitz; and many nieces and nephews.

Tom’s Military History:
1959-1967 – U.S. Army helicopter maintenance OH-23, OH-13, CH-19 & CH-34 helicopters
1968-1970 – 4500th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Sq, Langley AFB, VA, CH-21 helicopter crew chief
1969-1970 – Det 14 AFMC, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, CH-34 helicopters & A-1 aircraft
1970-1971 – 3750th Consolidated Maintenance Sq (CH-3 Phase Dock), Sheppard AFB, TX
1971-1973 – Wing Job Control, CH/HH-3 flight line, 1550 ATTW & 1550 OMS, Hill AFB, UT
1972-1973 – HH-53 Flight-line night shift supervisor, 40th ARRS, NKP, Thailand
1973-1975 – HH-53 Flight-line, 1550 OMS, 1550 ATTW, Hill AFB, UT
1975-1978 – USAF Advisor, 305th ARRS, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan
1978-1980 – Wing Mx Super 41st RWRW & HH-53 Line Chief 41 CAMS, McClellan AFB, CA
1980-1985 – Pro Super & NCOIC 20th AMU, 834th AGS, 1st SOW Hurlburt Field. MH-53 & H-1 Helicopters
1985-2005 – ARINC Research Corp – Working MH-53 upgrades & HH-60 upgrade. Also provided logistical support for both helicopters.