In my first six months in Fighter Squadron 211 as a nugget F-14 pilot, I had the privilege numerous times to fly as wingman for Ted “Suds” Fuss. He brought both a seriousness and joyfulness to flying. He was always eager to share his experience to make me and the rest of his squadron mates better aviators and RIOs. He was a true professional. 

It was a loss for us when he rotated out of VF-211 and a loss when he latter left VF-302. It is unimaginable how deep his loss is now for his beloved family. 

With great sympathy,
Josh "Whip" Runyan

My friend and fellow warrior Ted “Suds” Fuss has taken his final cat shot for the glorious flight home. We served together as warrior-brother Checkmates in  VF-211 and in the reserves in CVWR-30 flying the F-14 Tomcat.  Ted was a good and honorable man, a valiant warrior and a true friend. Ted had several things beyond the honor he rightfully claimed: kindness, courage and a conscience.  He was also blessed with a joyful sense of humor, but it was always kind.  I cannot remember a time when I did not  see him with a smile on his face, even in some of the more “challenging” situations in which we found ourselves; like getting ready to launch at night into the pouring rain from the pitching deck of the USS Kitty Hawk, he would smile and say “Hey, what could go wrong!” and smile from ear to ear. Suds was always where he was supposed to be to protect his fellow Naval aviator warrior brothers, in the air and on the ground. 
 
Ted was an amazing pilot.  In VF-211 he was tasked with flying a post maintenance check flight on an F-14 that had undergone extensive rework and repairs.  A critical component had not been installed in the flight control system which could not be detected on the preflight checks. This allowed the massive horizontal stabilizer on his Tomcat to oscillate freely +/- 10 degrees once airborne from NAS Miramar.  Ted got his bucking bronco Tomcat safely over the heavily populated Golden Triangle and Torrey Pines and landed his temperamental Tomcat on the remote Naval Auxiliary landing field of San Clemente Island.  Everything would have been perfect had another component of the aircraft, not been improperly remanufactured by the Navy’s rework facility.  The faulty “newly installed” power brake module locked the right brake causing the aircraft to swerve violently to the right after landing, across the short distance from the runway, to a 75 foot cliff.  The aircraft came to a violent stop on the rocks and beach below. But both Ted and his RIO were able to walk away.  I served on the accident investigation board for this mishap.  Ted’s airmanship and headwork were beyond reproach.  All of the contributing factors to this accident were attributed to the command pressures placed on maintenance practices at the squadron for the flight controls malfunction and the grossly negligent manufacturing processes at the Naval Air Rework Facility for the power brake module.  Ted’s airmanship was worthy of an air medal for getting the bloody wounded machine onto a runway.  Bravo Zulu!  Well done, Sir!

Ted went on to have a very successful career with Northwest Airlines and then Delta Airlines after the two great airlines merged.  

I wish you well on your flight home my friend.  You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as we all go on here without you next to us, but you will always be with us in our heart and in the joyful memories you gave us.  Fair winds and following seas my friend.

CDR Bob “Kraut” Hummel, VF-211, VF302
Captain, Delta Air Lines

The Navy Hymn
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, 
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair;
Oh, hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air!

It was with deepest sadness that I learned of Ted's passing.  We flew together several times at Northwest and had the best times.  I changed bases and we lost touch but every so often, in a base or airport; that smile and hearty handshake.  A fellow Navy and commercial pilot, a friend; too soon in passing.  I offer my most sincere condolences to his family, I wish I could attend the memorial.   Fair winds...……. My friend.  

Wayne Daffer

Please accept our deepest condolences on Ted's passing. Our son, Alex , played lacrosse  with your sons at Wittenberg University where we came to know your family if only for short time due to their age difference.  We hope you are comforted by the fact that we remember Ted as an open and caring husband and father. 

With heartfelt sympathy,
John and Cindy Previte

Our deepest sympathies to the Fuss family on Ted’s passing. We have great memories of his warmth, friendship and particularly his passion for Lacrosse. 

No matter how many questions I had about that wonderful game, of which I knew absolutely nothing about, Ted always took the time to explain, teach and share his knowledge. He did this with patience, repeatedly. That spoke volumes about the kind of man he was.

We pray you are comforted by the Holy Spirit during this difficult time. May Ted Rest In Peace.

John and Sherry Mercurio

OBITUARY

Theodore Lee Fuss

August 21, 1957 – September 25, 2018

Schoedinger Midtown

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