Harry Duke Sultzer, 81

Lt. Col. Harry Dukehart Sultzer, U.S.A.F. Ret., filed his final flight plan Dec.18, 2009, following a stroke. Duke was born in Butte, June 11, 1928. His father s job with the Department of Reclamation took the family from the Fort Peck Dam project to Oklahoma, Michigan and Buffalo, N.Y., where he graduated from high school. Duke returned to Butte to attend Montana State School of Mines (now Montana Tech). While in Oklahoma, Duke worked as a janitor so he could take flying lessons. He soloed at age 15. In 1949, he followed his flying dream and joined the new United States Air Force. While in Butte, he courted Linforth Murray. Duke and Lin eloped in 1952, marrying in Decatur, Miss. Duke s Air Force career spanned 32 years, with combat service in Korea and Vietnam as a fighter pilot and field maintenance officer. In 1966 he was awarded the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement While Participating in Aerial Flight. Tours of duty in Japan, Virginia, Germany, Kansas and California afforded his family many wonderful adventures. Duke s happiest day assignment was in 1990 when he and Lin arrived in Bigfork with the truck, the dog and the gun. He was a member of the Montana Skeet Shooting Association. In 2008, at age 80, Duke was inducted into the MSSA Hall of Fame in recognition of shooting accomplishments and contributions to the sport of skeet shooting. He was also awarded the DuBois-Kinker Award from the Zone 7 Skeet Shooting Association for his hard work and contributions to Zone 7 Skeet. An avid golfer, Duke was a charter member of the Roosters at Eagle Bend Golf course. He began a Wife Saver Old Boys Lunch Bunch. Every week the Old Boys gathered for lunch at many area restaurants. He also formed bridge and poker groups. He was a most happy fellow. Duke is survived by his wife, Lin; sons, H.D. lll, Thom M. and wife Michelle Ginger, and Karl L. and wife Cindy; daughter, Gretchen, and husband, Neil Beddow; grandchildren, Dylan and Keeva Beddow, and Karl s son, Thad. He will be remembered for his smile and twinkle of eye. Duke is now at his final duty station, the very best one. He was a good man. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held in mid-April in Bigfork. Memorials may be sent to the Bigfork QRU, 810 Grand Dr., Bigfork, MT 59911.