Dr. Frank Howard Brunstetter Colonel, USAF RetiredJanuary 31st, 1932 – April 11th, 2014 Dr. Frank Howard Brunstetter, 82, passed away on April 11th 2014 at the Commonwealth Health and Rehab Center in Fairfax, Virginia after a long illness. He was predeceased by his parents Max and Frances Worstall Brunstetter, his older brother George, and his first wife Roberta. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Mary Beatrice Reed Brunstetter of Fredericksburg, VA, his eldest son Scott of Alexandria, VA, his youngest son Daniel of Irvine, CA, his daughters-in law Lisa and Odile, his granddaughter Moira, his brother Dick, and his sister Jane. Born on January 31st, 1932 in Hackensack, NJ, Frank grew up with his elder siblings Dick, Jane, and George. He spent his early years in Rutherford and Leonia, NJ, and New York City, where he enjoyed family get-togethers, vacations in Maine, and local toboggan rides. He also learned to fly as a teenager, which led directly to his career in the U.S. Air Force USAF. Frank excelled in school, earning a B.S. in Agriculture from Cornell University, a B.S. in Zoology from Columbia University, and a M.D. from Cornell University, and also studied for a Ph.D. in Immunology at the University of Colorado. Frank was a lifelong baseball fan, never missing the unfolding of a season throughout his long life. He enjoyed taking in games during his youth, especially Brooklyn Dodger games, and later tossing the ball around with his sons and bringing them to the ballpark. Dr. Brunstetter served for almost thirty years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot and physician, retiring as a Colonel in 1984. During his military service, he lived in Brooklyn, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Denver, CO, San Antonio, TX, and O’Fallon, IL. As a pilot, he flew around the world in numerous aircraft, including the B-26 and the F-94. For the majority of his career, he served as a physician and flight surgeon, working in aerospace medicine supporting the USAF’s manned space flight program, as an instructor and specialist for immunology studies including organ transplantation, and as a supervising physician for the training of USAF rescue and recovery personnel. Dr. Brunstetter was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal, the latter for courage and directly contributing to the rescue of 61 people after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Frank and his family settled in Honeoye Falls, NY, where he worked as an occupation health physician at Xerox and Grumman Aerospace. Frank lived in Honeoye Falls for thirty years, raising a family with his wife Bea, operating a small farm with horses, sheep and ducks, and being actively involved in numerous committees in town. He always spoke fondly of the small town and its people, and enjoyed the waterfall and Mendon Ponds Park. Throughout his life, Frank was a man of dedication, compassion, and selflessness. He served his country honorably and with distinction, placed a primacy on caring for others, especially his family, and sacrificed for the betterment of those most dear to him. He instilled in his sons honor, integrity, and an insatiable desire to learn and excel, while ensuring they had every opportunity to pursue their own dreams. In his last years, he cared selflessly for his beloved wife as she battled her own illness. He leaves behind a legacy in all those he touched, in particular his wife and two sons, and the world is a better place. Frank will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on September 29th at 9am in honor of his military service. A celebration of his life will be held at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA on Sunday, September 28th from 2:30-4:30pm. Donations to a memorial fund in his name can be made to the Fisher House fisherhouse.org, a charity that provides housing to military families during times of illness, a fitting tribute to Frank.