Obituary of Col Howard Mitchell Epstein, USAF,

Col Howard M. Epstein passed away quietly at his home in Monument, Colorado on March 3, 2017 after a long illness. Howard completed a long and decorated USAF career, retiring in 1987 as a Colonel. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.Col Epstein was born on May 13, 1940 in the Bronx, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School and Hunter College. Howard was an accomplished athlete and completed a degree in Physical Education. Howard met Sheila Coffee, and they married on August 27, 1961. In 1962, the United States Air Force and Howard found each other. A Distinguished Graduate of Air Force Officer Training School and USAF Pilot Training, Howard truly loved the men and women he led. Col Epstein started his Air Force career saving the lives of others as a C-130 Rescue Pilot at Lajes Field, Azores. Soon thereafter, he was assigned to Southeast Asia, continuing his career as a Rescue Pilot, working with his fellow Airmen to save his fellow servicemen from the darkest of fates. Upon his return, Col Epstein became a member of the USAF Academy faculty, teaching gymnastics, boxing and self defense classes. He continued flying, mentoring, and motivating Cadets for careers in USAF flight operations.Col Epstein's Air Force Career continued with several assignments in Military Airlift Command, flying the C-141, C-5 and commanding several units to high levels of success. Col Epstein returned to Rescue and Special Operations as Commander of the 67th Rescue Squadron at RAF Woodbridge, England. A long and storied Air Force Career ended in 1987 after Col Epstein completed his work as the Operations Group Commander of the 375 Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, flying the C-9, C-21 and C-12.Howard Epstein was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Pearl Epstein. He is survived by his loving wife and life partner for over sixty years, Sheila; his daughter, Deborah Cheeseman, her husband, Frank, and their son, Jacob; his son, Michael Epstein, his wife, Jackie, and their children, Kyle and Sydney; and his brothers, Melvin and David. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.Graveside Service, 11:00AM, Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Sons of Israel Cemetery, located in Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at www.apbdrf.org in Howard's memory. Contributions will be used for research to find a cure for this disease.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services~North6575 Oakwood Blvd.Colorado Springs, COUSA 80923 Events Cemetery Wednesday, March 15, 2017 11:00AM Sons of Israel Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-578-6646