Colonel Francis P. €Œbuckâ̈́ Dube

Colonel Francis P. "Buck" Dube died at home on Monday, September 29th surrounded by the love and caring of his family. Buck was born in Salem, NH on May 24, 1934. He is the son of the late Emile and Blanche Dube. He is predeceased by his first wife Janice (nee Chamberlain), his brother Emile and sister Jacqueline DeNardis. Buck attended the University of New Hampshire and in 1955 he enlisted in the US Air Force through the Aviation Cadet program. After 15 months of training, he received his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. His first duty assignment was to Forbes AFB in Topeka, Kansas as a crewmember flying RB-47H aircraft. He was stationed there for nine years. He deployed six times to bases in Turkey, United Kingdom, Thule Greenland, Alaska and Japan. He then was assigned to the Strategic Air Command HDQS at Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE responsible for the phase out of the B-47 and phase in of the RC-135 aircraft. He attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, VA and upon completion in 1968 he was assigned to 7th Air Force HDQS in South Vietnam responsible for the introduction of new and improved Airborne Electronic Countermeasures systems. He served a year in Vietnam, he then was assigned to the Pentagon as a staff officer responsible for Electronic Warfare planning. After 4 years he was then transferred to Wright Patterson AFB in Fairborn, OH for a 5-year assignment as Systems Program director responsible for Design, Development and Acquisition of Countermeasures Systems for USAF aircraft. Upon completion of his assignment, he was selected to be the Chairman of the NATO Electronic Warfare Committee at NATO HDQS in Brussels, Belgium responsible for the Electronic Warfare of Operations for the NATO member nations. After three years, he was transferred to Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA where he retired from the USAF with 29+ years of service to his country. Buck was awarded numerous medals and decorations over the years to include the Defense Superior Service medal, two Legion of Merit awards, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star and two air medals. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Buck joined Lockheed Corporation. His most significant position was as Director of a joint venture between Lockheed and General Electric to define the Electronic Warfare systems for the Advanced Tactical/Fighter (F-22/F-35). Buck retired from Lockheed after 15 years of service and he and his wife Mitzi moved to their home on Wilson Lake in Maine. They enjoyed a number of years traveling across the continental U.S. in their motor home with their dog Moxie. They moved to Sun City Hilton Head in 2003 where they became active in their church and Buck enjoyed Thursday morning bible study and volunteered for the USO ministry, helping to greet returning service personnel and send off those leaving on deployment. In his later years, Buck volunteered at the church's Playcare program for 2-5 year olds and "˜Mr. Buck' became a treasured part of a number of children's lives. Buck was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and loyal friend and will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of family, his integrity and his faith. He enjoyed playing golf, spending time with his dog and most especially, telling jokes. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Mitzi and his dog Emma, of Bluffton, SC his son Kent (Cheryl) Dube of Lakeland, FL, daughter Michelle (Patrick) Conley of Bluffton, SC, grandchildren Janice Swain of Kapaa, Kauai, HI and Wyatt Dube of Lakeland, FL, great granddaughter Evie of Lakeland, FL, sister Pauline (Mort) Shea of Grantham, NH, his dear friends Jim and Donna Myers, and a host of friends and relatives. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, October 4th, 2014 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, SC. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to (Lord of life Lutheran Church-in memory of Buck Dube). His ashes will be interred with full military honors at the Beaufort National Cemetery at a later date. Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.saulsfh.com) A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, October 4th, 2014 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, SC.