Daryl L. Heusinkveld

Daryl was born on June 1, 1944 on a farm west of Springfield, SD to Garret and Edith Heusinkveld. He was raised in southeastern South Dakota with his two sisters and family. The Heusinkveld family was very involved in their local church and Daryl was raised with a deep Christian faith. He graduated from Springfield high school and attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1966. He caught the flying bug from his Dad, Garret, obtaining his pilot’s license in 1966. With patriotism and a deep sense of duty, he joined the AirForce as an officer in 1967 and went to pilot training where he earned an assignment to the A-1 SkyRaider. After training, he reported to Nakom Phenom, Thailand in 1969 to fly secret missions in the Vietnam War. Many Americans came home due to the bravery and skill of the A-1 Skyraider pilots attacking the Ho Chi Minh Trail, as well as flying search and rescue missions throughout Laos. Daryl flew over 213 combat missions in Laos and logged over 750 hours of combat time. He subsequently was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 14 air medals before returning to the US in 1970.

After returning, he married Karen Billars and finished his AirForce career as a T37 instructor pilot in Georgia. In 1972, he started flying for Delta Airlines. Daryl flew the Boeing 727, 757, 767, McDonald Douglas MD 11 and retired as a 777 Captain. He flew all over the world and loved the job.

Daryl and Karen had two children, Mark and Kari. Daryl was a very devoted and involved father and always attended and volunteered at his kid’s schools and activities. His strong faith in God was an important part of his life and he was active in Church activities wherever they lived.

Daryl was a promoter of general aviation and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He built a Rutan LongEZ, which he flew all around the country and was awarded the Wright Brother’s Award for homebuilt aircraft craftsmanship.

In his retirement, Daryl and Karen moved to Kestrel AirPark near San Antonio to be closer to grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling and playing with their 5 grandchildren. Most days Daryl could be found working on and flying his airplanes or taking grandchildren to activities. Anyone who met him remembered him as full of life, tough as nails, but with a kind, gentle heart. He always made sure that his mother, his sisters and their families, as well as his wife, children, and grandchildren were taken care of. Always up for giving an airplane ride, many remember him for giving them their first flight.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen (Billars) Heusinkveld, son Mark (Erica) Heusinkveld, daughter Kari (Andrew) Fay, grandsons Luke and Cole Heusinkveld, and granddaughters, Holland, Elliot, and Mallory Fay; sister Gretta (Heusinkveld) Weigandt; sister-in-law Janice (Billars) Pecenka; brother-in-law Thomas (Lynda) Billars; sister-in-law Fran (Billlars) McKinnis; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Daryl will be sorely missed.

There will be a graveside Memorial at the cemetery in Springfield, SD on July 2, 2022.