Andreas "Ted" W. Pribnow

May 22, 1949 ~ August 4, 2025

Ted made his heavenly flight West on August 4, 2025. Always a proud Air Force veteran, Ted would often look skyward when a military jet screamed by overhead. When others grimaced and covered their ears, Ted would just remark, “The sound of freedom.”

Ted was born May 22, 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After various assignments stateside and overseas, his military parents eventually landed in Washington State where Ted graduated from Lakes High School in Lakewood, WA. His parents settled in Cheney, Washington where his father was the Professor of Military Science at the local college. Ted attended Central Washington State College, in Ellensburg, WA. Graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and a military officer commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program, he was ready to launch his Air Force career.

In October 1972, then Lieutenant Pribnow completed Navigator Training at Mather AFB, CA and Weapons System Operator (WSO) in the F-4 Phantom at Luke AFB, AZ. Training complete, he was assigned to the 42nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base where he served as a WSO and later WSO Lead and Instructor in the Laredo Fast FAC Program (1973-1974). After completion of his Southeast Asia Tour, Ted voluntarily served a consecutive overseas tour with the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Torrejon Air Base, Spain. It was here he became a lifelong Squid. In addition to his WSO duties, he also served as the Squadron Standardization and Evaluation Officer, and Deputy Flight Commander (1974-1976). Upon completion of this overseas tour, he was reassigned to the 676th Radar Squadron at Antigo Air Station, WI (1976-1977).

In 1978, Ted traded his flying profession for a career in Air Force Intelligence. Graduating as a Distinguished Graduate from the Air Intelligence Officer Course at Lowry AFB, CO, he returned to Torrejon Air Base, Spain to serve as a 16th Air Force Staff Intelligence Officer (1978-1981). Ted often said Spain was his favorite assignment because it was where he and his former wife, Linda, welcomed their beautiful daughter, Jennifer, into the world. Ted completed Ball State University’s European Program in 1979 and received his Master of Arts degree with a major in Counseling. Over the next 14 years, Lieutenant Colonel Pribnow distinguished himself in each of his many, and varied, Intelligence assignments: Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC as an Iranian Air Analyst (1981-1983); 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC as Chief of Intelligence (1984-1986); Air Force Inspector General Team (1987-1988); Pacific Command Intelligence Directorate (J-2), Camp H.M. Smith, HI as Chief Special Security Division (1989-1992); and Deputy Commander, 547th Intelligence Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (1992-1995). In addition to his “normal” assignments, and due to his Intelligence expertise, Lieutenant Colonel Pribnow was twice selected for extended temporary duty (four months each) to Riyadh Air Base Saudi Arabia. He retired from active duty in August 1995.

Lieutenant Colonel Pribnow’s military awards and decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service

Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star.

After proudly serving his country for 25 years in the Air Force, Ted decided to remain in Nevada as he had met and fallen in love with his sweetheart, Morilee Yahne. Soon after they were married, Ted began and thoroughly enjoyed his second career with the State of Nevada. He retired in 2014 as a Criminal Investigator for the Attorney General’s Office.

After retirement, Ted and Morilee continued their “Adventures of a Lifetime” tour and traveled the world together, never visiting a country they didn’t appreciate and plan to visit again. They made a point of doing as much as they could for as long as they were able and they enjoyed every minute of it. Once travel was no longer possible, Ted found joy in a goldendoodle, Poppy. After flunking out of service dog training, she became Ted’s constant companion and the focus of the Pribnow household.

At the age of 76, Ted peacefully passed away at home in Henderson, NV. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Morilee, his caregiver and friend, Lisa and his faithful pup, Poppy.

Ted was a devoted husband, father, Christian and patriot. He was a true gentleman and will be remembered for his love of family, service to our country, loyalty, generosity, intelligence, kindness and wit.

Ted is survived, forever loved and missed by his wife, Morilee Yahne; daughter, Jennifer Pribnow and her mother, Linda Ryan Pribnow; sisters, Valerie Pribnow (Jan Roberts) and Sharlene Harris (Bill); nieces Alyssa Steidl (Steve), and Cheryl Cagle (Jeremy); great nieces, Avery and Brooke Cagle; father-in-law, Elmer Yahne; his loyal pup, Poppy and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Colonel Andy Pribnow (US Army-retired); mother, Noreen Pribnow; sister, Rita Ferguson; brother-in-law, Bill Ferguson and mother-in-law, Evelyn Yahne.

A Military Honors Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 beginning promptly at 8:40 a.m. It will take place at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, Nevada, 89005.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity supporting Veterans.