Allen Locher

Allen Hadley Locher passed away Monday, December 8, 2014 at the age of 81 with his family at his side. Allen was born in East St. Louis to Oren and Dorothy Locher. He graduated from East St. Louis High School, then moved with family to Tucson, AZ. There, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona with honors. He soon found himself in the service of Uncle Sam and was invited to the USAF flight training, where he came under the spell of the first great passion in his life - aviation! Shortly after, Captain Locher became a flight instructor for the U. S. Air Force Cadet flight school.\r\n \r\nHe married his first wife, had five children and settled into military and family life. Allen continued to fly combat aircraft with the Arizona Air National Guard, as well as work in other aspects of the flight industry. Eventually divorcing, Allen shifted from combat jets to a career as a commercial pilot with Pan American Airlines. Flying internationally, he saw many parts of the world. He then moved to Connecticut, where he was based out of NYC. It was fate that drew him there to meet the love of his life, Joann Wildman. The two met through a parent-teacher conference so son Richard would not fail biology (Joann was his teacher!). They married in 1977 in Danbury, CT and lived an active life of sailboat racing, skiing, and RVing. During that time, Captain Locher flew with United Airlines until his retirement in Kerrville, Texas. Allen and Joann found a church family at Western Hills Baptist Church where he worshipped and sang in the choir.\r\n \r\nAllen is survived by loving co-pilot and chief engineer: wife Joann of 37 years, children: Donnie Locher, Susan Locher Johnson, and Richard Locher, all of Phoenix, AZ; Stephanie Locher (John Thompson) of Elk Grove, CA and Kim Locher (Casey Seabright) of Atlanta, GA. Grandchildren include Lindsay, Jessica, and Elias of Minnesota, as well as Dylan and Emma of California. He also has many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as in-laws: Janet and William Winslow of CA. He is predeceased by siblings: J Hartley Locher and Bonnie Schmidt, parents: Oren Locher and Dorothy Locher (Jack Martin).\r\n \r\nThrough his strong faith in Jesus Christ, Allen is now with his Lord and Savior.\r\n \r\nMemorial Service will be held on Friday, January 9th, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Western Hills Baptist Church, Kerrville, Texas. Interment with military honors to follow at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to Peterson Hospice, Kerrville, www.petersonhospice.com.\r\n \r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]