Ned Allen Bandoske

Chief Master Sergeant Ned A. Bandoske, 61, of Shavano Park, Texas, passed away on July 16, 2026, after a long and hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. True to his nature, Ned gave the fight everything he had.

Ned was born on April 9, 1965, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was lovingly raised by his parents, Sylvia Mattes and Art Bandoske. He grew up in Cary, Illinois, before beginning a life of service that took him around the world.

Throughout his military career, Ned and his family called many places home, including North Dakota, England, and San Antonio. His service also took him to Qatar, Turkey, Panama, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. He spent the later years of his life in Shavano Park, Texas, which became home to him and his family.

Ned entered the United States Air Force in June 1983 and devoted more than 23 years to his country. He served in the Security Forces career field at installations throughout the United States and overseas.

Following the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, Ned was among those who responded in the immediate aftermath, an experience he spoke about throughout his life. He later helped stand up the 820th Security Forces Group at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. Ned also played an instrumental role in developing the Security Forces Close Precision Engagement capability and leading its first classes.

Ned was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant on July 1, 2004, while serving with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Chief Master Sergeant is the highest enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, achieved by only about one percent of all enlisted Airmen. Reaching this rank reflected not only Ned’s years of service, but also the leadership, integrity, and determination that defined his career.

In April 2005, Ned began his final military assignment as Security Forces Manager for the 343rd Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base. There, he provided leadership to the Air Force’s largest technical training squadron, helping oversee more than 250 instructors and support personnel responsible for training approximately 4,800 Security Forces Airmen each year. He retired from the Air Force in January 2007 after 23 years, nine months, and 16 days of honorable service.

His many military honors included the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and numerous campaign and service medals. He was also recognized as the Headquarters Air Force Security Forces Center Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 2002.

Ned valued education and continued learning throughout his career. He earned degrees in criminal justice and general studies, a bachelor’s degree in occupational education, and a Master of Arts in Public Administration.

His commitment to protecting and serving others continued long after his Air Force retirement. Ned worked for the San Antonio Police Department, Baptist Medical Center, and, most recently, SpaceX. Whether he was serving his country, his community, or his colleagues, Ned believed in doing the right thing and standing by the people who counted on him.

Those who knew Ned will remember his humor, determination, optimism, and unmistakable stubborn streak. He was hardheaded in the way that often accompanies strong convictions, and he rarely backed down from something he believed was right. He enjoyed spending time at the shooting range, keeping up with politics, watching Fox News, and, most importantly, staying connected with the friends he made throughout every chapter of his life.

Behind all his accomplishments was a man who cared deeply about being there for his family and friends. Ned’s loyalty, sense of duty, and willingness to show up for others will remain an enduring part of his legacy.

Ned is survived by his wife, Stephanie Bandoske; his children, Kevin Bandoske and Katie Hehir; his stepchildren, Nick McCraw and Lauren Larsen; his grandchildren, Keagan Bandoske, Everett and Avery Hehir, JD and Charlie McCraw, and Oliver Larsen; his mother, Sylvia Mattes, and her husband, Dan Mattes; his father, Arthur Bandoske; his brothers, Pete and Keith Bandoske; his nephews, Ryan and Luke Bandoske; and many extended family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow service members who will miss him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Helen Hintz.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232. A closed casket visitation will begin at noon, followed by the funeral service from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A procession will depart at 1:30 p.m. for Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, where Ned will be laid to rest with full military honors at 2:15 p.m.

A reception will be held immediately following the military honors at La Fogata in Alamo Heights.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ned’s memory to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Ned lived his life with conviction, courage, humor, and an unwavering commitment to service. His family takes comfort in knowing that his was a life defined by purpose, and that the people he loved always knew he would be there when they needed him.