Ronald Gene Standerfer of Gulf Stream, FL, passed away at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. He was 91 years old.

Born and raised in Belleville, IL, Ron was the only child of Gene and Aline Mobley Standerfer.

While attending the University of Illinois, he took his first airplane ride on a World War II-Vintage B-25 bomber and it changed his life. Shortly thereafter, Ron quit college and enlisted in the Air Force's Aviation Cadet Program. For the next 27 years (1954-1981), the Air Force and Air National Guard would be the focus of his life.

After commissioning, he attended Flight Observer School and eventually Pilot Training. Ron was stationed in a variety of locations including Maine, Arizona, Japan, Florida, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Virginia, and flew in a variety of aircraft including the F-89, F-100, F-102, F-105, F-4 and A-7. His experiences were unique even for the Cold War, observing the test of a 44 kiloton atomic bomb as part of Operation Plumbbob (Smoky) in August 1957, sitting nuclear alert in South Korea in the early 1960's, and finally, flying 237 missions over Vietnam and Laos from May 1968 - May 1969, including a stint as a Forward Air Controller with Operation Commando Sabre as "Misty 99". Ron was shot down on one of his Misty missions over Tchepone, Laos, on April 1, 1969. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded two Silver Stars, the Purple Heart, and 13 Air Medals.

Ron finished his Air Force career in a variety of active-duty Air National Guard assignments at the Pentagon with the National Guard Bureau, at 9th Air Force, and two assignments with Tactical Air Command (TAC). He retired as a Colonel from the Air Force in December 1981 as Director of Guard and Reserve Affairs for the Commander, TAC.

Ron's civilian life was as varied as his military career: Flight Engineer for Pan Am and Dominicana Airlines, launching the marketing program for the Falcon 900 with Falcon Jet Corporation, a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, on air analyst with New York's WOR TV during the Persian Gulf air campaign, owner of a aircraft charter and management company, and finally as a writer and publisher. He loved to write and contributed to military journals and syndicated news and online features. He was the creator of the Super Sabre Society's magazine "Intake". In November 2005 he wrote "The Eagle's Last Flight" a semi-autographical account of an Air Force fighter pilot during the Cold War, and finally as owner of the Pelican Communications Group.

Ron was pre-deceased by his parents and his son, James G. Standerfer.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Marzenna "Maya" Standerfer, his stepsons John Harrell of Lorton, VA, Steve (Rayna) Harrell of Sewickley, PA, Michael (Vivienne) Krynski of New York City, and his four grandchildren Ethan, Irene and Dominick Harrell, and Maximus Krynski.

A memorial service for family and friends will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ron's memory can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org).