Alexander J. Halber

Alexander Jon Halber, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force Ret., 72, born in St.Louis, MO on May 18,1939, died on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in Albuquerque, NM where he has been a resident since 1982. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Charlotte Allen Halber; sons Craig Richard Halber and wife Sandy of Scottsdale, AZ, and Scott David Halber and wife Belita of El Paso, TX.; four grandchildren, Shaun Allen Halber, Emily Kate Halber; Sarah Jenny Halber, and Candace Charlotte Halber; a brother, Dr. Michael David Halber of Surprise, AZ, and a sister, Karen Jordan Todt of Bristol,VA. He is preceded in death by a son, Jon Allen Halber (1963-1970), his parents, Alexander Dominic Halber, Col., U.S.Air Force Ret. (1916-2010) and Margaret Hoie Halber (1917-2004) of San Antonio, TX., and a sister Catherine Ann Halber (1952-2009) of Chama, NM. After graduating from Tokyo American High School, Narimasu in 1957, he attended the University of Hawaii and then transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO where in June of 1962 he received a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and his Air Force commission. His first assignment was at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson AFB, in Dayton, OH where he earned a Master's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering. Upon completion in 1964, he was assigned to the San Antonio Air Material Area at Kelly AFB, TX as an F102/106 structural engineer. After receiving his navigator wings at Mather AFB, CA, in 1967, he was assigned to McChord AFB, WA flying the C-124C. There he flew in and out of Vietnam throughout 1968 until his transfer to Lajes AB, Azores, Portugal where in the rescue HC-130 squadron, he was credited with the saving of six lives during his 15 month tour. During the following rescue tour at Hamilton AFB. CA, from 1969 to 1972, he received his Master's Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He again entered the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1972 at the University of Washington in Seattle and received his Master's Degree in Astronautical Engineering. After completing these studies, he spent the year of 1975 in Osan AB, Korea, flying F-4E Phantoms and then transferred to Hill AFB, UT, to the 6514th Test Squadron developing remotely piloted vehicles. In 1978, he was assigned to Ramstein AB, Germany, where he again flew the F-4E, followed by a tour there at HQ USAF in Europe. He was transferred in 1982, to the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, in Albuquerque, where he flew as Test Director with the Airborne Laser Laboratory. His final AF assignment at Kirtland AFB was as Chief of the Optics and Beam Control Division, Advanced Radiation Technology Office. In 1986, he retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service. He taught in Albuquerque, both Management and Statistics at the University of Phoenix, and Algebra and Calculus at the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute from 1985 to 2000. Volunteer organizations included BSA, Albuquerque Rescue Mission, AARP, Workamping, Habitat for Humanity, Roadrunner Food Bank, and Compassion International. His hobbies encompassed traveling, gardening, skiing, piloting a Cessna, and golfing. Family and friends are invited to partake in a memorial celebration of Al��?�s life on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 1:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall at Faith Lutheran Church, 10000 Spain Rd NE in Albuquerque. Al would have been pleased to have memorial contributions made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3411 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Alexander's care has been entrusted to:
Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109
505-821-0010