Retired USAF Major General William Allen Studer died of pulmonary fibrosis on Saturday, January 26th at his home in Tampa, FL. He was 79. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Donna Bray Miskowski Studer; son, Scott (Elizabeth) Studer; daughter, Shannon Studer (Marty) Martinez; two sisters, Sharon Studer (Bruce) Jewell, and Marion Studer (Neal) Carmickle; and grandchildren: Seth (Lauren) Studer, Sam Studer, Blake Studer, Parker Martinez, and Mindy Martinez. Bill was born in Chicage, IL, in 1939 to William and Annette Studer. The family moved to Ringgold, GA, in 1941, Darien, GA, in 1945, and ultimately to Atlanta, GA, in 1949, where Bill graduated from Southwest High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Georgia Institute of Technology. He later attended Troy State University, earning two Master of Science degrees. Bill entered the Air Force in 1961 as a graduate of Georgia Tech's Reserve Officer Training program. Over the course of his 33 year career, he commanded at the squadron, wing, division, and numbered air force levels. He was a command pilot with more than 5000 flying hours in fighter, transport, and attack aircraft, and more than a thousand combat hours in Vietnam. Bill's last assignments were Commander, 13th Air Force, Clark Air Force Base, Philippines (1990-91), Commander, Joint Task Force Fiery Vigil, Philippines, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and subsequent evacuation of 25,000 cilivians and military (1991), and then finally Director of Operations, US Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL (1992-94). Over the course of his military career, he was awarded the Joint Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 35 oak leaf clusters, Philippine Legion of Honor, and Philippine Bronze Cross. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill became the Director of Public Safety, Hillsborough County in Tampa, FL (1994-2005). He was an Emergency Preparedness Consultant from 2005 to the present. Bill enjoyed golf, reading, hiking, and attending as many of his grandchildren's activities as possible. He is remembered for his ready smile, sense of humor, intense desire to help others, and his ability to make people feel at ease. He has served his church in various capacities, from the Building Committee to greeting people at the church doors before services. He has been on the Advisory Board of Salvation Army, Tampa, and he had membership in the Order of Daedalians, the Quiet Birdmen, Command Bar Stool Association, Air Force Association, Georgia Tech Alumni Association, TYCC, Maggie Valley Club, NC, Tampa Rotary Club, and Hyde Park UMC. Bill's favorite charity was the Ronald McDonald House, which friends are encouraged to support. The memorial service will be February 8th at 11am at Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, FL.
