Lt. Reid L. Bronson, USN (Ret), 93, of Peachtree City passed away Jan. 15, 2013 of complications from pneumonia.
Mr. Bronson was born in Urania, La. on Jan. 12, 1920 to Burton Bronson and Francis (Fletcher) Bronson. He devoted his life to serving others, his country, his family and his community.
In 1941, as a Naval Airman, he served in the Aleutian Islands of the Pacific. One of his proudest moments was being awarded the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement in aerial flight” during action against enemy Japanese forces throughout the Aleutian Islands Campaign, June 1 to 15, 1942. The citation reads: “Under the most severe weather conditions of high winds, snow, rain and fog, and in the face of persistent anti-aircraft fire from enemy ship and shore batteries, Reid Bronson, with conscientious devotion to duty, carried out the tasks assigned him during patrol missions and bombing attacks against Japanese ships in Kiska Harbor. His fine courage throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” In addition to this accomplishment, Mr. Bronson was on the founding Navy Helicopter Squadrons HU1 & HU2.
In 1942, he married Bette Muenzer in Chicago and began his life as a devoted husband and father. Reid Bronson never wanted more than to provide for his family and to see them healthy and happy. Recently, he never missed an opportunity to tell someone that he had been married for 70 years and his wife got sweeter every day. He was proud of his career in the Navy, in the aircraft industry and his public service but was most proud of his beautiful ‘Bette’ and his children.
After retiring from the Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, Mr. Bronson resided in St. Charles, Mo. for 30 years. During that time, he was Branch Manager for Production Scheduling for the F-15 aircraft at McDonnell Douglas Corporation and served as St. Charles City Councilman for 12 years, five years as City Council President. Mr. Bronson received the Lifetime Distinguished Civic Award from the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce in 1996.
Mr. Bronson and his wife, Bette, moved to Peachtree City where he became active in the Lake Kedron Community Association as well as the PTC Pioneers group. After losing all but his peripheral vision to macular degeneration, he enjoyed driving a golf cart and often was seen chatting and laughing with his neighbors. He was well known and loved at the Kedron Village Kroger. He used his card shark skills from his WWII years to play nickel poker with his Peachtree City friends. He will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Bette), Jim Bronson (Carolyn), Margaret Bronson (Lee Arbuckle), Lynda Palmer (Paul), Reid T. Bronson (Lynnett), Lisa Bronson; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home in Peachtree City.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga. with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Coming Home Project. 3739 Balboa St., Box 193, San Francisco, Calif. 94121. The Coming Home Project is a non-profit organization devoted to providing compassionate expert care, support, education, and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, service members, their families, and their service providers.
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Peachtree City, Ga. – 770-487-3959 – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
