Reuben Vincent Sanguinet

February 15, 1931 – March 22, 2018

On March 22, 2018, Colonel Sanguinet passed away at the age of 87. He was born in San Diego, California to Reuben and Elsa Sanguinet.

Vince graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, California in 1949 and entered the U.S. Air Force August 9, 1949. After basic training he was selected for the Airborne Radar Mechanics School at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Mississippi. After graduation, he got orders to the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle AFB where he worked as a radar technician on the B-50, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. While at Castle, he applied and was selected for Aviation Cadet training, Class 53G. He completed Primary at Hondo Air Base, Texas and Advanced at Foster AFB, Texas where he was honored as a distinguished graduate and received his wings and commission in November, 1954. Vince then received Instrument and Intercept training in the F-94C at Moody AFB, Georgia. He served in the Air Defense Command at Hamilton and Oxnard Air Force Bases flying F94s and F89s. In 1957 Vince got orders for the Strategic Air Command and attended Navigation Training at James Connally AFB, Texas in preparation for a B-47 assignment in the 22nd Bomb Wing at March AFB, California. He progressed from co-pilot to Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot in the B-47. During his six years at March, Vince attended the Chapman University on base education program and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree.

In 1963 Vince attended B-52 Combat Crew Training School at Castle AFB, California before being assigned to 70th Bomb Wing at Loring AFB, Maine where he served as Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot. It was while at Loring that he met and married Barbara Picard in 1966. The 70th moved to Plattsburg AFB in 1966 where Vince was assigned as Wing Chief of Safety. He later served as Flying safety Officer at 8th Air Force at Westover AFB, Mass.

In 1970 Vince got orders to U-Tapao, Thailand to serve as Chief of Safety in the 307th Strategic Wing. After completing his Thailand tour, he served as Deputy Director and Acting Director of Safety for 15th Air Force, March AFB, California. He retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1975 after over 26 years of service. During his service career he flew many aircraft including the T-6G, T-28, T-33, F-94, F-89, C-47, B-25, B-47, B-52, and T-39, accumulating over 7,000 flying hours. His awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, and others.

After his service retirement, Vince started a new career in public education in California from 1976 to 1996. He served as Risk Manager for Compton Unified School District, and Coast Community College District. He was Executive Director of a self-insured San Bernardino County consortium of school districts with a budget of over $100 million annually. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Schools Excess Liability Fund for six years, a State-wide self-insurance program of California schools and universities. From 1996 to 2002 he maintained a risk management consulting business specializing in public entity risk programs.

After his wife, Barbara, died in 2000, he moved to Air Force Village West. He later met Marilyn Cragin whom he married in February, 2008. He is survived by Marilyn; two sons, Michael and Gary; one grandson, Robben; four step-children, William, Deborah, Cheryl, and Kathleen; fourteen step-grandchildren, Jon Paul, Kristina, Christian, Kevin, Clara, Kimberly, Kiley, Andrea, Jason, Christopher, Jeremy, Taylor, Ken, and Anna; and three step great-grandchildren, Alexis, Ashlyn, and Tia.

A service celebrating Vince’s life will be at Altavita Chapel on April 12, 2018 at 10:00 am. Burial will be at National Cemetery at 11:31 am. Funeral arrangements under the care of Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary.