Harold Meisterling

Meisterling, Harold E., USAF, Colonel (Ret)

Harold “Hal” Meisterling, 81, USAF Colonel (retired) and longtime resident of Albuquerque, NM; passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022.  Harold was born in Peotone, IL to Alice Meisterling; growing up he enjoyed sports, farming and raising Duroc pigs.  Harold was the first in his family to graduate from college, graduating with honors in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois.  After graduation, he commissioned into the US Air Force, becoming a fighter pilot and graduating at the top of his class.  He became the first 2Lt in USAF history to attain Instructor Pilot status; flew the O-2, F-4 and F-5 in Vietnam and graduated “Top Gun” at Fighter Weapons School.  Throughout his career and multiple aircrafts, he amassed over 5000 flight hours.  During his Air Force career, he also attained his graduate degree in Nuclear Physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  His assignments included Vance AFB, OK; Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Kirtland AFB, NM; Maxwell AFB, AL; Sheppard AFB, TX; Reese AFB, TX; Pentagon and his favorite assignment Williams AFB, AZ.

After serving over 28 years, Hal retired from active-duty service and went on to serve another 25 years as a defense contractor.  Harold was an active volunteer with veteran organizations and enjoyed traveling.  He was a member of the American Legion, Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, Air Force Association and Lobo Club.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol Meisterling of Albuquerque; his daughter Heidi Meisterling of Tucson, AZ; his sisters Betty Tousignant of Phoenix, AZ and Bernice Blanchette of Bourbonais, IL; brother-in-laws John Glahn and his wife Nancy of Joplin, MO and David Glahn of Enid, OK.  He also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Meisterling of Peotone, IL; Mother Alice Forrestal and stepfather Bud Forrestal of Florida; brother-in-laws Vernon Keroac of Kankakee, IL, Gerald Tousignant of Kankakee, IL and Ronald Blanchette of Bourbonnais, IL and sister-in-law Vicki Hulet of Woodward, OK.

Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 12, 2022, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 with Msgr. Voorhies, Celebrant.  A wake and Celebration of Life will follow from 12:00 p.m. - 3 p.m., American Legion Post 49, 11005 Central Ave NE, 87123.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.