Alan Theodore Hake

Lt. Col. Alan T. Hake, USAF (Retired)
February 7, 1935 - January 10, 2024
88 years old

Lt. Col. Alan Theodore Hake, USAF (Retired) passed away after a brief illness at Bay Pines VA Hospital in Florida on January 10, 2024, with his wife and daughter by his side. Alan was born in Tipton, Kansas, on February 7, 1935, to Mark and Christina (Konzem) Hake. Alan and his eight siblings were raised on a farm near Tipton. Alan attended Kansas State and worked as an illustrator at Cessna. He pursued his dream of flying, entering the Air Force Navigator Training Program in 1957. Alan graduated from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, in 1965, majoring in engineering. His Air Force career took him to Michigan, where he met his future wife, Vera. Alan and Vera were stationed first at Beale Air Force Base (AFB) and then at Castle AFB, both in California, followed by Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan, and finally Grissom AFB in Indiana. Alan specialized in air refueling tanker operations, including refueling of the CIA A12 reconnaissance aircraft, transitioning to flying air refueling support for the SR-71 Blackbird. He was an academic instructor and flight instructor/evaluator for the KC-135 Tanker. He was honored to become one of the first navigators given command of a flying squadron while stationed at Kadena AFB. Alan retired from the Air Force in 1984 and moved to Florida, where he pursued teaching at the high school level. 

Alan was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and was unfailingly kind to all. He loved reminiscing about his days in the Air Force, and inspired his granddaughter, Alina, to pursue flying in the Air Force as well. 

Preceding Alan in death were his parents, Mark and Christina; step-father, Claude McKnight; sisters, Charlene Marek, Elaine Parrack, and Ruth Jennings; sisters-in-law, Mary Kay Hake and Faye Hake; brothers-in-law, Robert Jennings and Marvin Parrack; step-brother Jack McKnight; and a nephew.

Alan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Vera; daughter, Tania Hake Vanecek (Carl); granddaughters, USAF Lt. Alina Hake Vanecek and Sophia Noelle Hake Vanecek; brothers, Jerome Hake, Leon Hake (Gail), and Meldon Hake; brother-in-law, Michael Jaworski; sisters, Marilyn Balaun (Larry) and Karen Walters (Harry); and many nieces and nephews. 

Alan will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a future date to be determined. A funeral Mass will be said at that time. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to an animal rescue charity or another charity of your choice.

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