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Terrence Randal "Randy" Pahl
"Randy" Pahl
1945 - 2006
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Randy was our eldest son, born in 4 May 1945, at N.A.S. North Island, near Coronodo California. Our
first meeting was about the day our ship, U.S.S. Hancock CV-19 returned to the states after WWII ended.
He brought great pride and joy to our family as he grew
to manhood. He was brilliant, (scary smart). had an inquisitive mind and became a professional chemist and computer
specialist. He helped his fellow scientist accomplish highly important original work.
Randy became an organ donor following a fatal accident when
his bicycle went into an unguarded road construction pit 13 August 2006. He will continue to live within the very
fortunate folks that received his invaluable "gifts of life".
His children and his family will be forever proud of this
truly great young man, our dear son, Randy.
- Herschel A. Pahl
Gallery
"Randy Pahl - 1947
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Naval Air Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, CA 1947
"Hello - my name is 'Randy' Pahl and I am standing
on the wing of the P-80 jet fighter plane that my daddy uses to chase guided missiles with. When they do not fly
right, he shoots them down to keep them from harming any one."
This famous old (60 year old) air plane has recently been
on display in the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Fla.
Randy became an accomplished accordion player
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While the Pahl family lived on Dream Street in San Diego from 1953 through 1957, Randy took music lessons and became
a pretty good Accordion player. That particular instrument was one that the VC-7 Landing Signal Officer (LSO),
Lester "Les" Lampman helped me purchase one time when we chanced to go shopping together in Italy. Les
has played with a famous big band and was an accomplished musician.
"Les" Lampman as LSO aboard Coral Sea CVB-43 in the
Mediterranean in '53
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Les tried out several fine instruments and took a liking to
this one , an Excelsior, the name plate said. However after I had purchased it and brought it back to the states
in the fall of '52 and having had it evaluated by experts in the US, we learned that it was a "bastard"
- one that had been put together by an expert using parts that he had smuggled home from his work place. It was
no doubt a fine instrument, however the American experts were quick to label it as part Excelsior
and part Accordianna. It did not make any difference to Randy or any one who loved a
fine instrument, so he learned to play it and used it for years.
The instrument finally met it demise in a flooded basement
years later. To both Randy and "Les" Lampman goes a "Well-done" for the good music we enjoyed
from this famous impostor.
Randy, center (age 14) with brothers Dale (Left) and Neel
on the Right
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Randy Pahl (14) center with his two brothers Dale, left and
Neel right, at our rented home in Alexander, Va. October 1959.
"Randy Pahl poses with a friend he made while the family
was living in Japan '62
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When assigned to duty with the Staff of Commander of the Seventh
Fleet, the whole Pahl family moved to Japan, the home port for that staff.
We first live in the rural "rice paddies" near
Fuchu, Japan. Here Randy was quick to make friends with local boys his age. During that time he attended High school
for US service dependents.
Randy pictured with two Japanese friends who invited him on
a tour to the Tokyo Tower
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During the summer of '62 Randy was invited to go sight seeing in Tokyo with two of his new Japanese friends. This
photo was take by the Tokyo Tower. Later they visited the emperor's home.
Randy Pahl in Japan 1962
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While his dad was serving on the staff of Commander of the Seventh Fleet, 1962 -1964, his family lived in Japan
- first on the local economy (rice-paddies) and later in U.S. government housing in Tokyo and at Yokosuka Naval
Base. During that time Randy as well as his two brothers, attended the schools provided for U.S. military dependents.
Randy became quite fluent in the language of Japan and was afforded the opportunity to travel, sight-see and to
learn more about this country that he was fascinated with. Some times he traveled with his family in the family
1959 Volkswagon.
Randy finishes High School in Yokohama, Japan - August 1963
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After completing high school at the "Niel Kennick High School", Yokohama, Japan in May,1963, Randy returned
to the U.S. and enrolled in college at University of Nebraska at Kearney, August 1963.
Randy, left with brothers Dale and Neel with mother Bonnie
Pahl on the Right
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Randy with his two brothers, Dale and Neel and Mother Bonnie,
were ready for church at their government quarters on Offutt Air Force, Base, Nebraska.
Randy was home for the weekend while attending college at
University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Randy Pahl graduates College -
May, 1967
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With great pride and determination, "Randy" Pahl
worked his way through college and earned a degree in science, as he majored in chemistry and electronics. He was
graduated this day in May 1967 with his proud parents, Bonnie and Herschel Pahl looking on.
Randy Pahl,
Kennewick, Washington,
circa 1980
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During Randy's professional years, he became an expert in computers
in the field of science and was associated with several scientific laboratories during which he accomplished original
procedures, equipment, and basic research of great value to those depending on dialysis machines and those interested
in detecting and avoiding contamination of the main elements of our civilization.
"For those who fought for it...
freedom has a flavor the protected will never know!"
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