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Col. Stephen L. Meltsner, USAF and CT Air National Guard, Ret., a long-time resident of West Hartford, died peacefully on December 27, 2019 at the age of 73, from gall bladder, pancreatic, and liver cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Jessica, who remained at his side until the very end, their son, Adam and his lovely wife, Erin, their daughters, Cassidy and Kaitlyn, on whom Poppy Steve and Nanny Jess constantly doted, and of course, his two spoiled Dobermans, Noah and Sarah. He is also survived by two loving sisters, his nieces and nephews, and their children. Always proud of his home, and despite his advancing age, he could most often be found tending to his lawn, his beautiful flowers, or tinkering with his prized 1968 Porsche 912 Targa. Formerly of New York City, Steve patriotically volunteered to serve in the United States Air Force in 1966, during the Vietnam War, where he spent 2 years as a fighter and bomber weapons loader. Following his commitment to the war effort, he immediately thereafter joined the Connecticut Air National Guard, and he subsequently applied for and was selected to The Academy of Military of Arts and Science and was a distinguished graduate. He earned his Certificate of Aeronautical Rating (USAF Wings) on January 26, 1974. Then he went on to Combat Crew Training at The Arizona Air National Guard leaning to fly the F-100. He subsequently went to USAF Sea Survival and POW Camp. He maintained combat readiness in the F-100 Super Saber (1000 + hours) and the A-10 Thunderbolt II (over 2000 hours). He completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and National Security Management School. He was the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, USAF Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, to name a few. He retired from CT Air National in 1999 holding the position of Director of Operations, State Headquarters with the rank of Colonel. Because of his pristine service and contributions to our national security, Steve was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General by order of the Governor of Connecticut in October 2010. Much to his chagrin, he was not selected to serve during Operation Iraqi Freedom, despite the prominent use of the A-10 during that conflict. Steve selflessly volunteered to fly unarmed and unescorted civilian aircraft into the warzone to bring necessary supplies to our troops. He was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support for his efforts. Steve was a pilot for Federal Express, proudly retiring as a Captain of the MD-11 in 2007. An avid champion racquetball player, Steve won countless local, regional, and national singles and doubles championships. He will be dearly be missed by a legion of racquetball buddies he saw several times a week for decades. There will be no calling hours, as his family wishes to grieve privately. E-mails to [email protected] will be welcomed. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society, notice of the same may be sent to the above E-mail. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Stephen Meltsner, please visit online at Weinstein Mortuary. Weinstein Mortuary 640 Farmington Avenue Hartford 06105 860-233-2675 Website
Col. Stephen L. Meltsner, USAF and CT Air National Guard, Ret., a long-time resident of West Hartford, died peacefully on December 27, 2019 at the age of 73, from gall bladder, pancreatic, and liver cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Jessica, who remained at his side until the very end, their son, Adam and his lovely wife, Erin, their daughters, Cassidy and Kaitlyn, on whom Poppy Steve and Nanny Jess constantly doted, and of course, his two spoiled Dobermans, Noah and Sarah. He is also survived by two loving sisters, his nieces and nephews, and their children. Always proud of his home, and despite his advancing age, he could most often be found tending to his lawn, his beautiful flowers, or tinkering with his prized 1968 Porsche 912 Targa. Formerly of New York City, Steve patriotically volunteered to serve in the United States Air Force in 1966, during the Vietnam War, where he spent 2 years as a fighter and bomber weapons loader. Following his commitment to the war effort, he immediately thereafter joined the Connecticut Air National Guard, and he subsequently applied for and was selected to The Academy of Military of Arts and Science and was a distinguished graduate. He earned his Certificate of Aeronautical Rating (USAF Wings) on January 26, 1974. Then he went on to Combat Crew Training at The Arizona Air National Guard leaning to fly the F-100. He subsequently went to USAF Sea Survival and POW Camp. He maintained combat readiness in the F-100 Super Saber (1000 + hours) and the A-10 Thunderbolt II (over 2000 hours). He completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and National Security Management School. He was the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, USAF Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, to name a few. He retired from CT Air National in 1999 holding the position of Director of Operations, State Headquarters with the rank of Colonel. Because of his pristine service and contributions to our national security, Steve was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General by order of the Governor of Connecticut in October 2010. Much to his chagrin, he was not selected to serve during Operation Iraqi Freedom, despite the prominent use of the A-10 during that conflict. Steve selflessly volunteered to fly unarmed and unescorted civilian aircraft into the warzone to bring necessary supplies to our troops. He was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support for his efforts. Steve was a pilot for Federal Express, proudly retiring as a Captain of the MD-11 in 2007. An avid champion racquetball player, Steve won countless local, regional, and national singles and doubles championships. He will be dearly be missed by a legion of racquetball buddies he saw several times a week for decades. There will be no calling hours, as his family wishes to grieve privately. E-mails to [email protected] will be welcomed. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society, notice of the same may be sent to the above E-mail. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Stephen Meltsner, please visit online at Weinstein Mortuary. Weinstein Mortuary 640 Farmington Avenue Hartford 06105 860-233-2675 Website