Alfred Hardy Eddleman

A.H. “Eddie” Eddleman was born January 13, 1921 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He passed away August 17, 2015 at the age of 94. Eddie was a WWII veteran and pilot.

From humble beginnings, and living through the great depression, Eddie often had to hunt for food, and also shared the basics of life with his older brother, R.E. and his sister Marguerite. The events of the depression took the family to Houston, Texas. At Same Houston High, Eddie met his high school sweetheart Jocile “Jo” Baggett. After graduating, Eddie entered Texas A&M. Pearl Harbor and the start of WWII interrupted his college years, and Eddie joined the Army. Shortly thereafter, he became a qualified pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Eddie spent several years in Germany, and flew 18 months of missions in the historic Berlin Airlift. At this point he married Jo and they had many adventures in occupied Germany.

After returning to the U.S., Eddie went back to school and completed his engineering degree. Continuing in the Air Force, Eddie worked on top-secret programs for the newly-formed United States Air Force. He witnessed a nuclear test explosion, and worked on first generation spy satellites. During his career as an Air Force Pilot, he and Jo raised two sons, Christian and David. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the United States Patent Office as a Patent Examiner.

Eddie had a lifelong love of boats and fishing. After retirement, Jo and Eddie moved to New Bern. Eddie, always active, enjoyed working with the local Republican Party, serving on the Airport Authority, and spending time with his dear friends at the Civitans. He and Jo were active members of Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern. Eddie was also a Freemason for over 70 years.

Sadly, after 57 years of marriage, Jo passed away in 2006.

Eddie was the kind of human being we all strive to be. Humble, kind, strong and intelligent. He never yearned for the spotlight, and was happiest when he knew that everyone around him was having a good time. Spending time around Eddie made you a better person. Hearing him tell stories of his accomplishments left everyone who heard them in awe, but he never tried to frame his life as glorious. By his own admission, he was a very lucky man and was grateful that he'd had the chance to do the things he'd done.

Eddie is survived by his sons, Christian (Ilene) and David (Mary), his grandchildren Amelia, Connor, Maria and Cristina. Eddie would want us to mention his dear friends Karen, John, Jim and Don, all of whom were always there for him, rain or shine.

There will be a memorial for AH "Eddie" Eddleman at

Christ Episcopal Church, 320 Pollock Street, in New Bern,

at 1pm on Saturday, September 19, 2015.