Paul Von Ins, (Retired) U.S.A.F.

Col. Paul R. Von Ins, U.S.A.F. (Retired), age 90, of the Glenmoor Retirement Community at World Golf Village, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2013 at the Glenmoor Health Center. Paul was a farm boy who grew up in Ohio. He served over 31 years of continuous military active duty from 24 February 1942 to 1 June 1973. He graduated from pilot school and was commissioned 2nd Lt. on 2/6/1943. He was triple rated: Command Pilot, Navigator, and Bombardier/Aircraft Observer while attaining 8,000 hours of flying time in primarily bomber aircraft; B-24, B-29, B-47, and B-52's. In addition he was awarded the Missile Badge and spent 8 years in the strategic missile program. He spent the WW II years training bombardier students, B-24 crews and A-26 pilots. He was in the Strategic Air Command over 20 years followed by assignments in NATO/SHAPE military operations. He retired from active duty at the Pentagon after participating in four years of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Soviet Union. He served as Deputy Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C.

Following his military service, he joined Grumman Aerospace Corporation and spent four years on assignment in Iran on the F -14 aircraft program. He subsequently assisted in the establishment and operation of the Grumman aircraft renovation program in 1980 at St. Augustine, Florida, retiring from Grumman management in 1989. For the first time in his life, he was able to enjoy and participate in community endeavors. For over eight years he served St. Augustine Beach Government positions of President of the Zoning and Planning Board, City Commissioner and Mayor. He was President of The Northeast Florida League of Cities in 1988, served on the St. Augustine Council of Aging Board of Directors, and as member of The United Way committees. He is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, The Air Force Association and The Military Officers Association of America. He had been a member of Anastasia Baptist Church since 1980 serving as a Deacon, Chairman of the Stewardship Committee and Chairman of the Building Committee.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Sarah. He is survived by sons, Paul R. Von Ins, Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of Riverside, Ca., David R. Von Ins and his wife, Mary, of York, S.C., Thomas E. Von Ins and his wife, Ravee’ of Palmdale, Ca., sisters, Lois Wiley and her husband, Roger, and Leota Trimmer and her husband Melvin, all of Baltimore, Oh., eleven grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov 15, 2013 at Union Evangelical Cemetery in Baltimore with Rev. Jill Dunlap officiating and military honors by the Wright-Patterson AFB Honor Guard. A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 at Johnson-Smith Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory can be made to the Anastasia Baptist Church Building Fund, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, Florida 32080.

Johnson-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Graveside Service

Friday November 15, 2013 , 10:30 AM at Union Evangelical Cemetery

Calling Hours

Thursday November 14, 2013 , 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Johnson-Smith Funeral Home