Paul D. Apgar USAF Col. Ret.

Col. Paul D. Apgar, USAF Ret., age 82, passed away at 2:20 P.M. on Tuesday, August 20, 2002. Paul was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and received his education at the University of Cincinnati, the University of Florida, the University of Maryland, and Columbia University in New York. A widely known and experienced pilot and aviation planning executive, Paul Apgar first came to San Antonio, Texas in 1942 for aviation cadet training. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters. After World War II, he flew extensively in commercial aviation throughout the United States before returning to the U.S. Air Force. He retired from the Air Force in 1972, and joined the United Services Automobile Association USAA in San Antonio, where he formed the Special Services Company, a subsidiary of USAA. Following a heart attack and open-heart surgery in 1974, Paul retired and became active in community and civic affairs in San Antonio. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the San Antonio Chapter of the American Heart Association and the San Antonio Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. He has served on the Red Cross Board for more than twenty years. He was Charter President of the Garden Ridge-Bracken Lions Club, and President of the Alamo Chapter of Mended Hearts. He was a member of the Order of Daedalions and the Air Force Association. Even after open-heart surgery in 1974, and a heart transplant in 1989, Paul Apgar continued to serve his country and his community. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Evelyn Apgar; three children, Sara Apgar, Karel Apgar-Rivera, and David Apgar; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Apgar; and four grandchildren, Amanda and Michelle Rivera, and Rebecca and Joshua Apgar.

Those who desire may send contributions to the Alamo Chapter of the American Red Cross, 3642 East Houston, San Antonio, TX 78219-3830.