Barron Von Nesselrode

Retired Col. Barron Nesselrode, USAF, died peacefully at his home in Arlington, VA, on Wednesday April 29, 2020.

Barron was born to Van and Anne Nesselrode on July 16, 1944 in Parkersburg, WV. He graduated from Ambridge High School in Ambridge, PA in 1962. Following graduation, Barron started a long and prolific career in the US Air Force which led him to Turner Air Force Base in Albany, GA. There he met, fell in love with, and married his wife of 48 years, Sandra K Nesselrode. They made their home together in Albany and then travelled the United States throughout various military assignments in Kansas, Alabama, Colorado, and Maryland. While in Alabama, Barron and Sandy had two sons, Chris and David Nesselrode.

Barron truly loved his work. While in the service, he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree at Troy University in Alabama. He later earned a Masters Degree in Public Policy at Webster College in St. Louis. He was one of very few service members to achieve the enlisted rank of Senior Master Sargant before becoming a commissioned officer and ultimately going on to earn the rank of full-bird Colonel in the Summer of 1996. At the height of his career at Air Force Headquarters Pentagon, Barron served in a strategic role within the Air Force Personnel Readiness Division where he supported multiple military theater operations including Desert Storm Liberation of Kuwait, Southern Watch No Fly Zone in Southern Iraq, Desert Thunder I & II Enforcement of UN Sanctions, Noble Anvil Operations in Kosovo, Iraqi Freedom Liberation of IRAQ, Laser Strike Counternarcotics in South America, and Operation Enduring Freedom Global War on Terrorism. In the US, Barron led Air Force and Air National Guard personnel operations and humanitarian missions including California Wildfires Defense Support to Civil Authorities, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Cleanup, Hurricane Ike relief, and South Dakota Flood Relief. Barron was also inside the Pentagon during the attack on September 11, 2001, returning to work the next day to serve his country with the steadfast devotion and determination he was known for.

Barron was an avid sports fan and outdoor sportsman. He loved football, baseball and golf, and spent countless hours with his sons on the sports field. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many Saturday mornings with his friends and family pursuing his outdoor interests. His greatest joy was the time he spent with his sons, passing on the hunting and fishing traditions of his family and continuing bonds that live on today through his grandchildren.

But most of all, Barron was a dedicated Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Brother. Family was always his number one priority and he always put the needs of his family above his own in every way possible. Barron was proceeded in death by his Father Van Edward Nesselrode, his Mother Anne McKenna Nesselrode and his niece Nanette Madonna Brown.

Barron is survived by his wife Sandra Nesselrode of Clayton, NC, his brother Regis Nesselrode and his wife Deborah Burke of Myrtle Beach, SC, his sister Regina Nesselrode Madonna and her husband Jimmy Madonna of South Heights, PA, his sister Vanessa Nesselrode Taddeo and her husband Carmen Taddeo of Monaca, PA, his eldest son Chris Nesselrode and his wife Maureen Gilligan Nesselrode of Arlington, VA, and his son David Nesselrode and his wife Jennifer Wood Nesselrode of Clayton, NC, and two grandchildren Kelsie and Kyle Nesselrode also of Clayton, NC. Barron also had several Cousins, Nieces and Nephews, Grandnieces and Grandnephews.

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Barron will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Ceremony dates and family services times to be announced.