Franklin D. Peschel

Colonel Franklin Delano Peschel, USAF Retired, died on April 4, 2018, at the age of 84. He was born in Holland, Texas, on July 4, 1933, to Louis and Hedwig "Hattie" Beyer Peschel, and grew up in Granger, Texas. Franklin met the love of his life, Marjorie Alma Bachmeyer, in 1956 and they traveled the world together. They were married for almost 61 years and have four children.

It is only fitting that Franklin shared his birthday, July 4, with our nation as he spent his entire life proudly serving and defending the principles and freedoms of the United States. He joined the Air Force in 1955 and became a decorated command pilot, logging over 5,000 flying hours and 149 combat missions. In Vietnam, Franklin was a “bird dog” pilot and forward air controller, and directed the United States’ first jet air strikes against the Viet Cong in 1964.

Following Vietnam, Franklin became an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies at Louisiana State University and chief flight instructor at Maxwell Air Force Base. In the early 1970s, Franklin earned his MBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and took on various finance positions with the Air Force, first as accounting and finance officer with the Space and Missile Systems Organization in Los Angeles, CA, and then as comptroller of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Franklin then held several positions at the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center in Denver, CO, including chief of international accounting systems, deputy director of plans and systems, and director of military pay operations.

Rising to the rank of colonel, Franklin’s final command was at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, as Comptroller of the Air Logistics Center, where he managed a multi-billion budget and directed the activities of the largest computer complex in the Southwest.

Throughout his thirty year career with the Air Force, he received numerous medals and awards, including Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” device, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Franklin also received the Department of Defense’s top financial management award: The American Society of Military Comptrollers’ Distinguished Performance award.

Franklin was also an accomplished athlete. As quarterback at Granger High School, he broke school records and was recruited to play football at Baylor University. Although Franklin turned down an offer to play professional football in order to join the Air Force, his love of the game never wavered, and he would get up in the middle of the night to watch football games when he was stationed overseas.

Later in life, Franklin became an avid runner, along with Marjorie, and they became fixtures in the local running community. They competed in hundreds of local races, including dozens of marathons and volunteering with the Summer Olympic Torch Relay throughout the United States. Franklin considered his many running friends to be part of his extended family.

Above all, Franklin took great joy in his family and grandchildren. He will forever be in our hearts as the role model of what it means to love unconditionally, serve your nation and others, embody integrity, always do your best, and be humble and kind.

Franklin is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marjorie Peschel, daughter Darbey and son-in-law Richard Wehrle, son Derek and daughter-in-law Kathleen Peschel, son Daron and daughter-in-law Susie Peschel, daughter Deena and son-in-law Mark Evans, and seven grandchildren: Evan and wife Caitlin, Megan, Brooke, Kiley, Bailey, Ainsley, and Emma; and numerous other close family members and special friends.

Franklin is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Wilma Klett Sagebiel, Viola White, and Irene Johle; and brothers, Stanley Peschel, Calvin Peschel, and Logan Peschel.

Visitation will be held April 23, 6:00 to 8:00 pm and a celebration of Franklin’s life will be held April 24 at noon, both at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas. Committal service with full military honors will be held at 1:15 pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, with a reception to follow at Sunset Funeral Home. Charitable donations in Franklin’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice.