ADAMS, DAVID L.   ADAMS, VICTOR   ADAMSON   AGLE   AHARONIAN   ALBERTS   ALEXANDER   ALLEN   ALLISON   ALTENHOFEN   ANDREUS   ARCHER   ARCHULETA   ARENS   ARKE   ARMSTRONG   ARNAU   ASHTON   ATKINSON   AUFDERHEIDE   AUSTIN   BACKLUND   BAEHR   BANTZ   BARNES   BARRETT   BARTLEY   BASS   BAUER, JAMES   BAUER, THOMAS   BEASLEY   BEAUVAIS   BECQUET   BEHNKE   BELINA   BELSER   BELTZ   BENNER   BENSON   BENTON   BERGSTRESSER   BERNIER   BERRY   BIEBEL   BIGELOW   BIGGS   BIRD, J   BIRD, G   BLACKLEDGE   BLAESS   BLAIR   BOBBITT   BOBO   BOEHM   BOURCIER   BOWERS   BRADLEY   BRADY   BRAGG   BRAHNEY   BRIDGES   BRIMS   BRITTON   BROOKS   BROUSSARD   BROWN, CHESTER   BROWN, JOHN   BROWNLEE   BRYANT   BURNETT   BUTCHKA   CAHILL   CALLIHAM   CAPORICCI   CARBINE   CASSITY   CATO   CHRISTIANSEN, R.   CIEMNIECKI   CLARK   CLEMONS   CLEVELAND   CLOAR   CLOUSE   COCHRAN   COFFEE   COLEMAN   COLIP   COOMBS   COOPER   COPPERTHITE   CORSON   COURCHAINE   COWAN, JAMES   COWAN, STETSON   COX   CROUCH   CROWE   CRUPPER   CUMMINGS, LAWRENCE C.   CUMMINGS, LAWRENCE R.   DAILY   DAMOTH   DANIELS   DEHMLOW   DELAY   DEVINEY   DICKSON   DIEL   DIGGS   DODGEN   DORGAN   DOW   DOWDY   DUCKWORTH   DUNHAM   DUNN, HARRY   DUNN, RAY   DUNAWAY   DYER   EAGAN   EDER   EDGE   EDWARDS   ELDER   ELKINS   ELROD   ESELGROTH   FARR   FEIGERT   FERREIRA   FERRELL   FERRY   FISER   FITZPATRICK   FLANIGEN   FONK   FOOTE   FORBEY   FORTNER   FOUTS   FOX   FRASE   FREUND   FUNK   FURMAN   GAGNON   GASBARRI   GATCOMB   GATES, BOB   GATES, HERBERT   GILZEAN   GLASGOW   GLASSFORD   GOGUEN   GOLDSTEIN   GOVEN   GRANT   GREEN   GREER   GREGORY   GREINER   GRIFFIN   GRIFFITH   GROVE   GRUVER   GUILMARTIN  


John L. "Jack" Belina

Final Flight on April 21, 2013





John L. "Jack" Belina, Colonel, USAF (Retired)

July 29, 1940 - April 21, 2013



Belina, John L. ("Jack"), Colonel, USAF, Retired, Age 72, of Burnsville. Born July 29, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN., passed away April 21, 2013 in Burnsville, MN.

 

Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Maxine; children, Judi Lund, Tom Belina (Karen), Scott Belina (Kelly) and Susanna Belina; grandchildren, Jonathan, Katherine, Clayton, Thomas, Mari and Alex and many other relatives and life-long friends. Proceeded in death by parents, John and Rita Belina.

 

Jack graduated from St. Thomas Academy, earned a bachelor's degree from St. Thomas and a master's degree from Troy University. He also completed the Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

 

In 1963, he joined the USAF, attended Officer's Training School and received his commission in June 1964. After completing Helicopter Training School and Combat School Training, he went on to fly over 400 combat air rescue missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In 1976, he became the Chief of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot for the CAP-USAF headquarters at Maxwell AFB and in 1980 he was appointed the CAP-USAF Chief of Readiness at Maxwell. In 1985, he moved back to his hometown of Minneapolis and assumed command of the North Central Region of USAF-CAP. He was a command pilot with over 3500 of flying hours. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was extremely proud to have been able to serve our country.

 

After retiring from the Air Force in 1991, he worked as a realtor with the Executive and Lakeshore Properties division of Coldwell Banker. Jack was the epitome of the words "family man". When the Air Force moved him away from Minnesota, one of his favorite places to come home to (for Christmas Eve especially) was the Belina family farm in Owatonna, Minnesota. Jack had many cherished family and friends in Owatonna and always made sure his kids and grandkids (and anyone else who would listen) knew about the traditions, stories and history of his Bohemian ancestors. Jack was the consummate storyteller.... one of those people that would turn a 5 minute memory into an hour long story and have you laughing (and sometimes crying) the entire time.... even if it was the 10th time you'd heard it. He was an avid fisherman and never passed up a chance to go fishing with his friends.

 

Mass of Christian Burial at St. John's Catholic Church, 4625 West 125th Street in Savage, Minnesota at 10:00 AM April 29, 2013, with gathering at the church one hour before the service. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery immediately following service.

 

Memorials preferred to the JDRF (juvenile diabetes research), MinnDakotas, 3001 Metro Drive Suite 100, Bloomington MN. 55425 or Children's' Hospital Foundation (cardiovascular research), 2910 Centre Pointe Drive, Roseville, MN. 55113.

 

              Published in Star Tribune from April 26 to April 28, 2013



~GUEST BOOK~



August 14, 2013

Col Belina was my boss when we were both assigned to Air University, Maxwell AFB AL. He was a wonderful person who treated those under him like family. I will always be grateful to him. My best to Maxine and the family.

~

Judith Rollins,

Gulf Breeze, Florida


May 09, 2013

Jack was one of those special individuals who strived to be more kind, help more diligently, and succeed more often. Consequently, he will be missed more keenly. Although I cannot say that I had the pleasure of knowing him long, I feel that I knew him well, and I hope Maxine and all who loved Jack can take a measure of peace from these few words of sympathy at his passing.

~

Russell Kitchner,

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia


May 05, 2013

Col "Jack" Belina was my Region Commander and a good friend. I mounted that walleye he displays in his profile picture. He will be missed by many including myself. God Bless Jack. Our prayers are out to the entire family.

~

Ray Mattern,

Fort Ripley, Minnesota


May 03, 2013

Jack was one of my mentors, the best active duty commander I ever had the honor to serve. Always ready to help any officer or enlisted under his command. Helped me buy and sell my home in Maple Grove. Simply: The Best. God Bless Jack and the Belina Family.

~

Ken Kassen,

Shawnee, Kansas


May 02, 2013

Jack was a great friend and mentor. I got to know him when he moved back to Minneapolis to command the North Central Liaison Region. He was always ready to pass on his wisdom and stories. I will cherish his memory and friendship.

~

Joe Casler,

Columbia, Missouri


May 02, 2013

Col. Belina was many things to many people but, I remember him for his devotion to the people he advised as the Civil Air Patrol USAF LR Commander. He was a great help and supporter during a difficult time. He IS missed.

~

Jon Morris,

Lincoln, Nebraska


April 30, 2013

My prayers and condolences go out to you and your family. I will always remember having the honor of attending John's retirement from the Air Force after just coming back from Desert Storm.

~

Sean Daly,

Apple Valley, Minnesota


April 30, 2013

Jack will be sorely missed by those of us who had the honor of working with and for him in the USAF-CAP. He may have been our Commander in the North Central Region, but he was definitely our friend and would go to the wall for his troops. He will be missed!

~

Rich Scharf,

Fargo, North Dakota


April 28, 2013

I am very appreciative of getting to know Jack and Maxine, better, over the past few years. They are very special people with a very close and special family. He will be greatly missed but has left many wonderful memories.

~

JudyK,

Ft. Myers, Florida


April 27, 2013

We had some fun moments in Vietnam. I'm sure he is up there where the air is clear at last and enjoying his new adventure.

~

Bruce Bowden,

Calabash, North Carolina


April 27, 2013

Jack came into my Det in Nha Trang in 67 and I couldnt ask for a better man and pilot to fly with. Really enjoyed knowing him, even for a short time!

~

Joe Ballinger,

Norton, Kansas


April 27, 2013

I flew with Jack on the HH-43 helicopters and he was a great pilot. I am sorry to hear that he has gone, it is like a great library burned to the ground-he had a lot of knowledge he shared.

~

John Civick,

Choctaw, Oklahoma


April 26, 2013

I'll miss Jack...all those years together in Montgomery...running each day with Buddy...working together at Air University...I notified the USAF Helicopter Association so they can put the word out to the helicopter community...again...I will miss him.

~

Fred & Margaret Ayoub,

Buda, Texas


April 26, 2013

Growing up, Jack was like another sibling in our family. We loved him like a brother. I never met a man who brought happiness to more people. Fond memories always.....you will be missed by all.

~

Larry Dalsin,

Little Torch Key, Florida


April 26, 2013

Jack was so dear to our family. He will be missed by so many. I can't help but have a smile on my face when I think of the many great stories/jokes that Jack shared! Love you my friend and your family! Bob/Jill/Kaytie

~

Jill Kamphoff,

Eden Prairie, Minnesota


April 26, 2013

Jack, Jack.. already the world is so much emptier without you - Jeff is missing your heartfelt friendship greatly. I will never forget your last words to me, "I love you, too..kiddo."

~

Elizabeth Okerberg,

Owatonna, Minnesota


April 26, 2013

The house came alive at Christmas when Jack and family arrived. We will miss him greatly.


April 26, 2013

I met Jack in Real Estate school just after he retired from the Air Force. I was 22 yrs old. We both were trying to figure out "whats next" in life coming from different places. We ended up at Coldwell Banker and then in the same Edina office. Jack took me under his wing. Jack was a father figure to me and when I wanted to propose to my wife and I didn't have the money. Jack loaned me the money with no strings attached. It was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. He took joy in making others happy. His smile infectious and his stories unbelievable. Jack always had a twinkle in his eye. I will never forget the Honey Baked Ham's on Tuesday realtor Tour. I am sure he is in Heaven telling a Whopper of a story now. Thank you Jack for everything. Chris & Carolyn

~

Chris Johnson,

Edina, Minnesota


April 26, 2013

Jack was a wonderful man, always making everyone around him smile. I will miss hearing him call me "Kiddo", whenever he came into the office. May God's peace surround his family and friends.

~

Rosie Olson,

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota




       



"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~


"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY


~NEVER FORGOTTEN~