Donald Andrew Gierard

Donald Andrew Gierard, LtCol ANG (ret)

May 13, 1933 - April 20, 2020

Donald Andrew Gierard passed peacefully in his sleep in Colorado Springs CO, April 20, 2020. He was a husband, father and a beloved grandfather, a command pilot and cold warrior, an electrical engineer, and a political operative with a healthy skepticism of big government. He knew a trick question when he heard one.

Don was born on May 13, 1933 in New Castle PA, to the late Mattie Elverda Gierard (nee Edwards) and the late Andrew John Gierard. He graduated from McKeesport High School in 1951, entered the US Air Force, and was commissioned through the Aviation Cadet Program (with the Class of 55 India). Don married Frances Marian Lang of Finleyville PA in 1953.

With the end of the Korean War, his Air Force career started as a rated intel officer for the Air Force Security Service in Germany. On his return from Europe, he transitioned to the B-47 Stratojet flying for Strategic Air Command from Dyess AFB TX and Plattsburgh AFB NY. In 1964, Don enrolled at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh PA, while flying C-121 Super Constellation cargo/medevac aircraft for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard out of the Pittsburgh Greater International Airport. In 1969, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and was briefly recalled to active duty after the Pueblo incident, flying WB-47 aircraft for the Air Force Air Weather Service.

Don went to work for Hughes Aircraft Company supporting their fire control system on Air Defense Command’s F-106 interceptor aircraft. In this job he was assigned to three fighter interceptor squadrons before arriving in Colorado Springs CO in 1977 to support the North American Air Defense (NORAD) headquarters. Don continued to fly C-97 Stratofreighter and KC-97 Stratotanker aircraft for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard until 1978, when he retired from the Air National Guard with over 5000 flying hours over 25 years. With the retirement of the F-106 in 1982, Don was reassigned to Hughes Aircraft Company headquarters in El Segundo CA to support the F-15 and U-2 programs. He retired from Hughes Aircraft in 1985 and returned to stay in Colorado Springs in 1992.

Don is survived by his wife Frances and his daughter Carol Ann Gierard of Colorado Springs, his son and daughter-in-law, Robert Andrew Gierard and Heidi Idolene Gierard (nee Meckler) of Santa Clarita CA, his son and daughter-in-law, John Charles Gierard and Karen Lee Shutt of Berthoud CO, and his three grandchildren Kelly Elizabeth Gierard, Lauren Eddie Gierard, and Aubrey Andrew Gierard all living in California.

Don’s internment and memorial services will be held later this Summer when conditions permit.