Henry T. Bruggeman

Lost his courageous battle with Pancreatic cancer on February 23, 2013. He was born on Nov 11, 1947 to Theresa (Wier) & George Bruggeman and grew up on Long Island, NY. Hank entered the Air Force on Jun 28, 1966 and soon developed a love for airplanes and carpentry. Hank proudly served in Viet Nam and upon his return he was selected to join the USAF “Thunderbirds”. After completing his tour with the Thunderbirds, he was chosen to be a member of the F-15 DT&E program at Edwards AFB, CA where he later brought the Eagles to Luke AFB. His final assignment was the Development and Testing of the F-117 Stealth Fighter Program when he retired in 1986 as a SMSGT (CMSGT sel). Upon retirement from the AF he hired on as an Engineer at the Lockheed Skunk Works in Burbank CA and retired in Nov 2008. Hank was also a dedicated AYSO soccer coach for many years coaching many children including two of his sons James and Aaron. He is survived by his wife Kay of Waddell AZ, three sons Christopher of Las Vegas NV, James of Waddell AZ and Aaron of Santa Clarita CA, daughter in law Luanne, his grandchildren Ethan and Kaitlyn Bruggeman, his mother Theresa Barlie of Surprise, AZ, sister Pam Wells of Surprise AZ , brother in law Dave Wells and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Mar 8, 2013 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 17111 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, AZ. Interment to follow at 12:30 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Palliative Care unit of Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phx., AZ 85014.