Col. Stanley R Sebring, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), 88, a longtime Fairhope resident, died on Sept. 22, 2011 at William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette.
Stan Sebring, a native of Redfield, S.D., was born May 19, 1923. He attended the University of South Dakota, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
He entered the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program in 1943, and became a pilot and Second Lieutenant in May 1944. During his 30-year Air Force officer career he served in three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. As a bomber pilot in WWII he flew a combat tour of missions over Germany.
After the war he attended the University of Southern California and flew as a pilot in the California Air National Guard. In 1948 he accepted a regular commission in the USAF. Sent to Korea in June 1950, he flew 100 combat missions as a jet fighter and reconnaissance pilot.
In addition to his combat tours, he served two three-year peacetime tours of duty in Germany and tours at Shaw AFB, S.C.; at H.Q. USAF at the Pentagon; at the Air University in Montgomery; at Dannelly Field as the Air Force Advisor to the Alabama Air National Guard; and at Pacific Command H.Q. in Hawaii as Chief of the Joint Reconnaissance Center.
He was a graduate of the Air Force Intelligence Officers School and the Air Command and Staff College.
With a rating as a Command Pilot, he accumulated more than 5,000 hours of flying time and was awarded the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, plus numerous campaign medals and other military decorations.
Following retirement, he and his wife, Rebecca, owned and operated Objects, a gift and decorative accessories shop in downtown Fairhope. Many Fairhopers will recall him in his red suit and home-grown white beard as the jolly Santa at Objects.
Over the years he was active in a variety of civic organizations and activities. He enjoyed having performing roles in several Theatre 98 productions.
With a keen interest in literature and art, he enrolled as a regular full-time student at the University of South Alabama – with a double major in English and art. He joked that he was always the oldest kid in every class. Graduating in 1980 he received the English Department’s scholarship award.
He was a former member and officer of the Fairhope Lions Club and the Fairhope Rotary Club. He served several terms as an officer or director of the Eastern Shore Art Association.
As an avid reader he was a dedicated member of the Friends of the Fairhope Library. He was also a life member of the Military Officers Association of America and University of South Alabama Alumni Association.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Maurine Wheeler of Huron, S.D.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Rebecca Thomas Sebring of Fairhope; two sons, Stanley R. Sebring Jr. and Craig R. Sebring; and two grandchildren, all residents of the state of Washington. Additionally he is survived by one sister, Betty Beaudoin of Stafford, Va.
Rebecca’s three children, Thomas Howard Rush and Patricia Rush Merck, both residents of Georgia, and Melissa Rush Phillips, a resident of South Carolina, adopted him as “Pappy” and so did their eight children.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Jessie Weeks, Covenant Hospice and the C-Wing staff of the William F. Green State Veterans Home for their selfless service and care.
A memorial service will be held at 1300 (1 p.m. for civilians) on Oct. 1 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, 19698 Greeno Road, Fairhope.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Eastern Shore Art Association, 401 Oak Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532, or to the Friends of the Fairhope Library, c/o Fairhope Public Library, 501 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairhope.
