Col. Edgar Robert Grischkowsky

Col. Edgar R. “Gris” Grischkowsky, USAF, Ret., (81) of Austin, passed away at St. David's Hospital on May 29, 2015. Gris was born in American Falls, Idaho on September 16, 1933 to Paulina and David Grischkowsky. He graduated from American Falls High School in 1950 and after two successful years tending to the family farm, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. Shortly after enlistment, Gris was selected to attend pilot training as an Aviation Cadet and was commissioned a 2d Lt. upon earning his wings.

Throughout his colorful 33 year career as a fighter pilot, Gris amassed over 5000 mishap free flight hours in tactical aircraft ranging from the F-86 Sabre to the F-15 Eagle. He completed 206 combat missions in Vietnam and was heavily involved in the initial testing and program development of both the F-15 and F-16 fighter programs. As a graduate of the Air War College, he completed senior staff officer tours as the Director of Operations for the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base Korea; Chief, Operations Inspections, Pacific Air Forces Inspector General, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; and the Deputy Operations Officer for 12th Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. Gris retired from the Air Force in 1984 and spent almost another decade of service as the General Manager of his community's HOA before finally settling down to enjoy retired life as a doting husband, father, and grandfather. Gris was an active member in several Aircraft Societies and was a contributing writer to Sabre Jet Classics.

He is survived by his darling wife of 52 years, Wilma B. Grischkowsky, his daughters Jane and Melissa Grischkowsky, his son, LtCol. Michael R. Grischkowsky, USMC Ret., and his sister Chris Toews. He was also father to his loving daughters in-law Cindy Higgins and Jennifer B. Grischkowsky and proud grandfather to Nicholas, Tyler, and Mason Grischkowsky. He is preceded in death by his parents Paulina and David, his two brothers, Herbert and Emil Grischkowsky, and his son, Martin Grischkowsky.

Memorial services will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Friday, June 5th, 2015 at 3 p.m.

Memorial donations (in lieu of flowers) may be made in Gris’s name to the Air Force Aid Society (https://www.afas.org/memorials)