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Air Force
OCS Class 61-C
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Here's the latest
on
Donald
B.(Don) Maestaz
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OCLt
Donald B. Maestaz
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Don
at 2003 reunion
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Don Maestaz began his AF life at Parks AFB, CA in 1955 at age 17. He took
Bomb/Nav Repair at Lowry AFB and worked on B-47s at Dyess AFB before coming
to OCS. Upon graduation, Lt Maestaz went to Reese AFB, TX for pilot training,
then to Tinker for C-124 School. From 1962 to 1966, Don flew Globemasters
for 28MAS at Hill AFB, UT and was released from active duty in 1966. "After leaving the AF, I went to American Airlines...in Mar 1966," Don writes, "I completed DC-6 Flt Engineer/Copilot training in Dallas and came to Chicago...DC-6 ops phased out, I went back to Dallas for BAC-111 training and returned to Chicago. In 1967, I was asked to leave because I had missed a starting school date in Dallas for 727. "What happened after pilot training was that I found a new mistress," Don continues. "Her name is Alcohol. We had a ruinous affair until 1982 when I went to the VA hospital for treatment for advanced alcoholism. I've been in recovery since...longer than the 20 years I was...drinking." Don went back to college (age 52) and has been working at the veterans hospital since 1994 as an addictions therapist. When he has time, Don enjoys golf and reading. His wife Elise is deceased as is one of their 3 children. Don has four grandsons. |