Neal Alan Sobieszczyk, Lt. Colonel USAF (Retired)

Neal Alan Sobieszczyk, 82, of Lompoc, CA passed away peacefully at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara on Saturday, June 10 2017. Born on July 3, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Alois Sobieszczyk and Blanch Sobieszczyk (Gelinski), Neal graduated from Bayville HS in Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin/Madison before entering the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1956. Neal, aka Sobie, was stationed at Air bases in Italy and France before returning to the United States and Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 1968 Neal was transferred to Vandenberg AFB where he found his paradise and the love of his life wife Annie Troup (Arrington). Neal and Annie were married on July 26, 1970 in Rough and Ready, CA. In 1981, Neal retired from the USAF after a 24 year career working in missile defense. After 12 more years of work in the defense industry (Martin Marietta and Northrup), Neal retired permanently in 1993. Neal was an ardent Green Bay Packer and University of Wisconsin football fan who enjoyed barbequing for family functions and with the Vandenberg Village Lions Club. He enjoyed listening to music, especially the oldies but goodies, traveling the world with Annie and helping her with the creation and construction of her many Christmas arts & crafts. Above all, Neal was a true gentleman and a patriot to the very end.

Neal is survived by his loving and faithful wife of 47 years Annie Sobieszczyk and his three step children; Craig Troup, Laura Bodkin and Daniel Troup (Carrie). In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren Cara Zimmerman (Lance), Kristen Price, Kendra Baker, Kyle Troup and Sierra Troup and great grandchildren Alexis, Joseph, Corben, Aiden, Carsen, Mason, Audrey and Evie. From his Milwaukee family he is survived by his brother Dennis Sobie (Ruth) and numerous nieces and nephews. Neal was preceded in death by his parents Alois and Blanch Sobieszczyk, brothers Leonard and Erwin Czyzewski and sisters Virginia and Mildred Czyzewski and Geraldine and Caroline Sobieszczyk.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Monday, June 19 at 10:00 am at the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, 123 North A St, Lompoc. A graveside service will take place immediately after at the Evergreen Lompoc Cemetery, 600 South C St., Lompoc.