Harry Popper USAF Cwo-4 Ret.

Harry Popper, retired Chief Warrant Officer W-4, with 30 years active duty in the United States Air Force, passed away at his home in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, November 22, 2003 at the age of 89. The cause was cancer.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Popper.

Over his career, Mr. Popper was awarded numerous medals and commendations for his work in supply and logistics. Beginning in 1968, he was awarded 'Outstanding Supply Officer of the Year' four consecutive years in a row.

During WWII, Mr. Popper served with the 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group where he participated in the European Air Offensive in Iceland, Ardennes and Normandy, France and Rhineland, Germany. His service included assignments with SAC and Security Service; he was stationed in Florida, California, Alaska, South Carolina, New Mexico Okinawa, Taiwan, Texas and Turkey.

As a young man, Mr. Popper moved from Bronx, New York with his family to Hollywood when his sister, Frances 'McCoy' Popper was hired by Warner Brothers as a motion picture actress. There he worked as an electrician on movie sets.

Mr. Popper's love for Turkey was profound. When he first stepped off the plane in Istanbul he said, 'I'm home.' After his retirement in 1974, Mr. Popper returned to Turkey where he worked for a military contractor in support of the Air Force mission in Ankara. While there he became a student of Turkish culture and history. He also learned to speak the language and made dozens of Turkish friends over the 12 years he lived there.

An extraordinarily creative person, known for his humor, Mr. Popper was an avid gardener, pickler, chef, wood carver, and raconteur.

He is survived by his beloved friend and fiancée, Betty Davisson; sons, Samuel and Frank; daughter, Victoria Angel; daughters-in-law, Jane Popper, and Regina Popper; son-in-law, Nicholas Angel; and grandchildren, Patricia, Samuel Jr., Mark, Nicole, Anya, Jack, and Spencer.