Lonnie L. Liss Col USAF (Ret)
March 10, 1936 – February 8, 2020
Beloved brother, uncle, friend and patriot.
Survived by sisters, Rose Anania-Lippstreu (Gary) and Delores Churchill (Mel); brother, Raymond A. Liss (Karen); many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends Wednesday, February 12th from 5pm to 7pm, at the West Center Chapel followed by ROSARY at 7pm. SERVICES: Thursday, February 13th, 10am, West Center Chapel to St. Thomas More Catholic Church (4804 Grover St.) for MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 10:30am. INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors by Offutt Air Force. Memorials will be directed by the family.
29 Comments
An officer, a gentleman, and my friend. Deepest sympathy and condolences.
My husband (Larry Fordham) was stationed with Lonnie from the beginning of his Air Force career. It started in Salina, KS and ended at Beale AFB. Lonnie was always such a gentleman. I’m sure the 2 of them are talking Air Force right now.
Hi Annette, I’m Lonnie’s niece. My family would love to connect with you to talk more about Lonnie and Larry. If you’re interested, please email me your contact information at angieanania@me.com. Thank you so much for reaching out.
Lorraine and I send our condolences to the Liss family. Sorry we won’t be able to join you to remember Lonnie but all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
Lonnie was a true gentleman and a true hero. An example for all of us.
Deepest sympathy to your family, prayers and love,
Claire, Craig, Catherine and Jake Lenz
So sorry to hear the news about Lonnie. I was in the 381st Sg. with him while st Schilling AFB,Salina, KS..With deepest sympathy and condolences, Bobby M. Jones
Hi Bobby, I’m Lonnie’s niece. My family would like to talk more with you about Lonnie. If you’re interested, please email me your contact information at angieanania@me.com. Thank you so much for reaching out.
I served with Lonnie in U-2s at Davis-Monthan and at Beale. A true professional and a good friend. He is missed.. George Worley
Hi George. I’m Lonnie’s niece. My family would like to talk more with you about Lonnie. If you’re interested, please email me your contact information at angieanania@me.com. Thank you so much for reaching out.
I was a Staff Sgt PSD Tech and remember Capt Liss and the numerous times I assisted him into those now outdated Partial Pressure suits. I met Colonel Liss again at Offutt AFB while I was on AF Reserve Training. He was among the most dedicated and professional individuals I have known and often recall his professional demeanor. Even though it has been forty years, I still vividly remember my time working with the outstanding pilots who flew the C/R/?/models of the U-2. Flying both the U-2 and SR-71 makes the poem: High Flight a special memorium. I am proud to have served the best.
Lonnie was a dedicated professional and friend. We were roommates for a time while flying the B-47 in Kansas and served together again at the Air War college.in 1976. The Air Force was a better place for his leadership. My sincere condolences. Neil Ray
Hi Neil. I’m Lonnie’s niece. My family would like to talk more with you about Lonnie. If you’re interested, please email me your contact information at angieanania@me.com. Thank you so much for reaching out.
Lonnie was a true professional and friend. We were room mates for a time in B-47s and served together at the Air War College in 1976. The Air Force was a better place for his leadership. My sincere condolences. Neil Ray
My deepest sympathy. Lonnie and I served together as U-2 pilots and a tour in the Pentagon. A great friend and an exemplary officer and gentleman.
Hi Jim. I’m Lonnie’s niece. My family would like to talk more with you about Lonnie. If you’re interested, please email me your contact information at angieanania@me.com. Thank you so much for reaching out.
My deepest sympathies. Linnie and I served together as U-2 pilots and a tour in the Pentagon. A great friend and exemplary officer and gentleman.
Quiet egoless confidence. Grace. Ever humble and grateful. Lonnie was an incredible person and it was a blessing to know him.
Sincere condolences to Lonnie’s family and friends. His gentle, quiet manner was winsome in every way. Gentleman and skilled pilot as well as deacon at his church. Loved spending time with him whether aloft or on Terra firma.
Lonnie and I were cousins and we grew up together. My mother and his mother were sisters. We always enjoyed their visit out to the farm. We enjoyed following his career through the Air Force, and so proud of everything he accomplished.
May his soul and all souls rest in peace..
With love and prayers,
Mary Jeffries-Lincoln, California
Lonnie L. Liss was an American hero, a man’s man and a women’s gentlemen. He was the most humble person I ever experienced and yet the most accomplished person I ever knew. He lived each day to pray fully please God. He lived each day focused on protecting the United States so we could worship God and be protected by our Constitution.
He had absolute, uncompromising character and integrity.
He stood like a rock against evil.
He was the big brother I never had.
Lonnie Liss has been on the tarmac prepared for his last day since 1960.
It was an absolute honor to know him and fly side by side with him for hundreds of hours.
Lonnie will be remembered respectfully and fondly by several members of the Offutt Aero Club, where he introduced them to the wonders of flight or helped them achieve new aviation skills and goals. As recently as last Fall, he stopped by the Aero Club to donate some items for the benefit of new young aviators. He was a remarkable role model, and imparted a true love of flying to all those with whom he flew.
An aero club colleague and consummate professional, it was a privilege to fly with him.
I met Colonel Liss (retired) right after I graduated from pilot training at the aero club. I had no idea he was a retired colonel or what his flight experience had been. I just knew he was a super pilot and went out of his way to mentor this butter bar. You remember people that have a tremendous impact on you. God speed Colonel Liss.
Lonnie was My co-pilot in B-47s at Schilling. I’m honored to have known and worked with him…always had my back…a true gentleman who will be sorely missed.
We are very sad to hear of Lonnie’s passing, he was a great friend to Laurel and I. Lonnie, Don Sponberg and I rented a house off base in Salina. The usual bachelor pad. He was a member of our wedding at the Schilling base chapel. The last time Laurel and I passed though Omaha we had a great visit with Lonnie.
Best pilot I ever flew with. Lonnie and I worked on our CFI’s together at the Aero Club. He was a kind gentleman and patient with a young pilot. I still use today what he thought me those many years ago.
May he fly high with the lord and always be on my shoulder as I fly into his sky.
My condolences
Respectfully
The Farwell family
Shaw
I was going through my civilian logbook tonight and saw the dozens of entries signed “Lonnie L. Liss” with red stamped smiley faces next to my solo and PPL entries, Lonnie took me down a quick journey (7 weeks) to my PPL when I was 17 and on my way to the Naval Academy in 1997. I couldn’t have asked for a better Instructor. As others have mentioned, he had such a calm spirit, yet was so highly accomplished and skilled. I’ll never forget getting lost on my first cross country solo flight. I walked into the Aero Club after landing and he had this grin from ear-to-ear. He was holding a handheld radio that was tuned to the local approach frequency and had obviously heard me ask ATC for a heading to Offutt AFB. We both had a good laugh:) After a 20-year flying career with the Navy, I can honestly say he is still the finest pilot I’ve ever flown with. The things I learned from him still benefit me to this day. My sincerest condolences to his family & friends.
Sorry for this loss
Col Lonnie L Liss called me into his office in 1982 – he gave me the instructions and flight approval for my flight retiring the last USAF U-2C model. I expected a warning to fly conservatively but instead he said, “Give them a good show!” Took aircraft 701 to Offutt AFB on a “one-time flight” waiver due to a crack in left wing. Really respected him for that. He was a good man.
I served under Colonel Liss when he was the Director of Operations (DO) for the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB. I had the honor of being the back-seat instructor pilot for his flight in the SR-71. It was a great flight and he obviously was a superior pilot. Thank you, Sir, for your leadership!!
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