Col. Elmer ‘Newt’ Tyndall, decorated war veteran

Col. Elmer Newton (Newt) Tyndall, U.S. Air Force Retired, of Georgetown, died peacefully at home Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the age of 98, surrounded by his loving family and devoted caregiver.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy B. and Lillie Sammons Tyndall; his brother, Leroy B. Tyndall Jr.; and his son, John Franklin Hazzard. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Baker Tyndall.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Thelma Townsend of Georgetown; and five daughters: Barbara Tyndall Seltmann of Hickory, N.C., Sandra Tyndall Davis of Atlanta, Ga., Nancy Johnson Tyndall of Memphis, Tenn., Susan Tyndall Strnad of Corralitos, Calif., and Patricia Tyndall Owings of Hendersonville, N.C.; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Hazzard of Redmond, Wash.; sons-in-law James Seltmann, Mike Davis and Marvin Owings; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 19, 1918, and grew up on a family farm in Georgetown in the midst of the Great Depression. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1936, and then attended Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pa. He worked on the family farm and at DuPont Nylon Plant in Seaford until he applied for flight training before our country entered World War II. While on active duty in the Air Force, he earned a bachelor's degree from Sacramento State College in California, and was later awarded an MBA from George Washington University.

His distinguished 30-year Air Force career spanned World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was one of the first master navigators in the world (celestial and radar). During World War II, he was assigned to the 58th Bomb Wing, which was the first unit to take B-29s into the war against Japan. He flew 25 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, along with other citations. He witnessed the end of World War II Sept. 2, 1945, when his crew led a formation of B-29s over the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony on its deck. He was very proud of his service to his country, which also included assignments at the Pentagon, the Strategic Air Command, and his final tour of duty as commander of the Air Force ROTC at Clemson University.

After retiring from the Air Force, he worked at Clemson University as assistant to the president, where he served for eight years until his final retirement. After retirement, he volunteered in the Commemorative Air Force and traveled throughout the country displaying the only remaining flying B29. In 2012, he was inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame.

Newt and Thelma lived in South Carolina for 40 years before returning to Georgetown and re-establishing residence and membership in Wesley United Methodist Church. His family, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always fondly remember the wonderful annual reunion trips he planned and made possible!

On Saturday, Jan. 28, at Wesley United Methodist Church visitation will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 East Laurel St., Georgetown, DE 19947.