Lt. Col. David J. Kasznia went to be with the Lord on June 9th, 2021 while being cared for at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio after long suffering from the effects of a brain tumor and several cancers. Dave, as he was known to those who knew and loved him, is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Renate, daughters Christina (Rick) and Corinna, brothers Robert (Eva) and Victor (Darlene), sisters Barbara and Marsha, brother-in-law Roman Lovisa, and many nieces and nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his parents Marion and Mamie Kasznia, brothers Benedict (Sophie) and Marion, and sisters Mary Jane Cinal (Ted), Adeline Kruk (Harry), Evelyn Kaczmarek (Richard) and Rita Lovisa.
Dave was born in Crumstown, Indiana. The family moved to South Bend when he was 11 years old. Dave became very active playing sports, excelling in football. He was chosen by the St. Joseph County football fans to the Allstar Squad for his outstanding contribution as quarterback for Washington High School.
Drafted in to the US Air Force in 1950 he decided to make the military his career. He entered Cadet flying training at Ellington AFB, TX and graduated at the top of his class earning his Navigator wings becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force.
Dave had a distinguished flying career with 8,000 hours of flying time. He was qualified to fly 13 different airplanes. His assignments included Bangor, Maine, Waco, Texas, Dyess AFB, Texas, Robins AFB, Georgia, Wiesbaden, Germany, Nkhon Phanon, Thailand, Randolph AFB, Texas, Mather AFB, California, Taipei republic of China and March AFB, California.
Dave was recalled during the Cuban Missile Crisis and assigned to Robins AFB, GA. He transported nuclear bombs and dangerous equipment to the Pacific and Germany. He delivered the last nuclear bomb to Johnson Island in the Pacific before it was detonated by the Army. Next assignment took him to Wiesbaden, Germany where he met his lovely wife Renate. He was assigned to SAM (Special Air Mission) also known as Air Force One in Europe. His mission was to transport VIPs and to take the military brass to the US. He enjoyed transporting German President Heinrich Lübke, Chancellor Ehrhardt and Chancellor Kiesinger picking the up at Bonn and taking them safely to Berlin and back.One of his last missions was to take AG Robert F. Kennedy and sister-in-law Princess Radziwill to Warsaw, Poland before he shipped off to Vietnam.
Vietnam was a tough assignment and an unpopular war. Dave flew nearly nightly and accumulated 986night flying combat hours. He received the fourth highest medal in the nation, the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals. Leaving SEA he came to Randolph AFB, Texas as Assistant OPS Officer. He enjoyed his time with his family. He went on to Mather AFB as a MED Detachment Commander for Manpower and Personnel.
Dave was sent to Taipei, ROC. He was assigned to MAAG with the main mission to bring our troops back to America. The United States was recognizing Mainland China. Dave had the chance to play Golf with President Chiang Kai-shek, and he proudly claims to be a 5 handicap golfer. After the tour in Taiwan, March AFB, was our last assignment where he retired after 30 years of military service, he had earned a BS from Indiana University and a MBA from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Dave loved fishing in Rockport and traveling the world, especially going back to Germany
Our family would like to thank the caring staff at BAMC for their kindness, professionalism, and making him comfortable on his last days. It was the warmest reception by the staff when they sent Dave off with TAPS.
Dave will be honored with a Celebration of Life on June 25, 2021 at 1600 hours (4 p.m.) at Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City, TX with Father Walter Zinzer officiating. Viewing will be from 1500 to 1600 hrs. A reception to follow the service.
Interment with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
