The oldest of four sons, Lorin was born in Wichita, KS on December 1, 1955 to C. Marvin and Edith Long. The family moved to Seattle in l962, where he attended Marvista Elementary and Sylvester Middle School. Lorin earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1970 and attended the National BSA Jamboree in 1969 and the World Jamboree in Japan in 1971. He graduated Highline High School (with Honors) in 1973. He earned varsity letters in both football and wrestling, played French horn in Symphonic Band and Orchestra, and trumpet in two stage bands.
Most importantly, in high school Lorin realized he had met the love of his life. Having met in second grade at Marvista Elementary, he and Merry Kay Moore began a deep relationship that would last the rest of their lives. They dated through high school, during Lorin’s years at the Air Force Academy, and were married 10 days after he was commissioned a 2Lt in the U.S. Air Force. Merry was always his best friend, loyal wife and life partner, and a wise counselor throughout his life. She constantly supported him through many difficult assignments.
Lorin graduated (with honors) from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1977, B.S. Computer Science, where he also played French Horn bugle in the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps. He earned a graduate degree in 1987 from the University of Southern California, M.S. in Systems Management. He also graduated from the Air Force Squadron Officer’s School (Distinguished Graduate), Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. He retired from the Air Force in 1999 as a Lt Colonel, decorated with the Air Force Commendation Medal and five Meritorious Service Medals.
In over 21 years as a commissioned U.S. Air Force officer, Lorin and his family served active duty assignments in Lubbock, TX/two in San Antonio TX/Del Rio, TX/Homestead, FL/Goldsboro, NC/Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines/Las Vegas, NV/Columbus, MS. An Air Force fighter pilot to the core, he flew two models of the Northrup T-38 Talon, three models of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, two models of the LTV A-7D Corsair II, and the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk (the Stealth Fighter) aircraft, accumulating approximately 3,500 flight hours in supersonic fighter/trainer aircraft.
On the night of January 16, 1991, Lorin led a two-ship F-117A Stealth Fighter element in the second wave of the initial Operation Desert Storm attack on Baghdad, Iraq, resulting in the destruction of multiple chemical weapons storage bunkers. During that 43-night conflict he flew a total of 21 combat missions in the Stealth Fighter and served the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing as Wing Chief of Standardization/Evaluation. Lorin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Aerial Achievement Medal for combat air operations over Iraq and Kuwait. Lorin accumulated over 2,000 flight instructor hours and was qualified as a 4-ship flight lead, flight instructor, and flight examiner in the A/T-38B, F-4E, and F-117A aircraft. A Lieutenant Colonel, he retired from his final USAF assignment as the Squadron Commander of one of the Air Force's two unique Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) Squadrons, the 49th Flying Training Squadron, the Black Knights, flying the AT-38B.
In Lorin and Merry began to build their family. Christopher Ian was born January 25, 1983 at Homestead AFB, FL and Risa Brianne was born October 24, 1984 at Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC . They both grew up as typical military kids, moving from school to school as Lorin was re-assigned. Both were excellent students and athletes. Beginning in high school, Merry’s family had an Irish Setter, Clancy, who closely supervised Lorin whenever he came courting. The family continued the tradition through the rest of their lives, being blessed with wonderful, loving Irish Setters: Kelly, Maggie, Baily, Faith, Skeeter, and Carlie
After his USAF retirement, Lorin served for one year as a Boeing 737 ground school instructor for FlightSafety Boeing at their Longacres simulator facility. Hired by Alaska Airlines in 2000, Lorin logged over 10,000 hours in 15 years as a Seattle-based Alaska Airlines 737 pilot. Lorin possessed an FAA Air Transport Pilot credential with Boeing 737 Type rating, single engine land and sailplane qualifications.
In his spare time, Lorin enjoyed time with his family, reading military novels, and shooting rifle and pistol. He volunteered as a Docent at The Museum of Flight starting in 2015. Along with volunteering at The Museum, Lorin had also volunteered with Chris’ Boy Scout Troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster, Coach/Manager of his son’s Little League team, and several times as a church council member of the family’s Lutheran Churches. He had the distinct honor and high privilege of being married to his high school sweetheart, Merry for 43 years, blessed with their children, Christopher and Risa, and four grandchildren, Camden, Cooper, Savannah, and Alanna.
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