The family of USAF Louis Leroy Covert, 82, has invited the PGR to attend his funeral service and Military Honors, we would be honored to do so.
Louis LeRoy Covert, 82, of Ridgecrest, California passed away peacefully on October 5, 2019.
Lou (“Pete") was born on November 11, 1936 to Alice May Chase and Louis Sherman Covert in Grangeville, Idaho.
Lou joined the Air Force after high school in 1955, serving as an Airborne Radio Operator, stationed in Iceland and flying all over the world. He excelled in sending and receiving code and took advantage of all the electronics training he could get. TV repair provided him with extra money and more learning opportunities.
He was the second of four children and had many wonderful memories of his sisters and brother. They grew up in the beauty of northern Idaho, for a time in a primitive cabin where they lived on wild game and goat’s milk. They loved having farm animals and pets of all kinds (even a bear).
In 1959, Lou married Eunice Ellen Stellmon and they raised their three children. He did some exciting work with the Forest Service, but as soon as the GI Bill provided a path forward, Lou enrolled at the University of Idaho and achieved his degree in Electronics Engineering. The family moved to NWC, China Lake, California in 1971, and Lou quickly received a fellowship to complete his master’s degree at the University of Arizona. During his career at NWC China Lake, his work was vital to the success of Sidewinder missiles AIM-9L and AIM-9M.
Lou always loved and respected animals, especially dogs. He hunted deer and elk from the age of 12, providing for his family this way countless times. He coached Little League, played softball, and was on an Air Force boxing team. He played the trombone and the banjo. Lou was a gifted mathematician and design engineer who contributed to our national defense for 40 years.
In 1976, Lou married Ilo (“Joanne”) McMillan and pursued a new career as a Professor of Electronics at Lincoln Land College in Springfield, Illinois and Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. He then returned to the defense industry at General Dynamics and finally came back to China Lake to finish his career and retire. In retirement, Lou continued to work as an engineering consultant for another 20 years.
Lou will be remembered as a strong and determined man. From a very young age, he was eager to learn and master new things; he set his sights on goals and was tireless in his pursuit of each one. He was generous and kind to those around him and will be greatly missed by his large family and his friends.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the Hero and his family from the Mortuary Services to his final resting place. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Timetable for Saturday 19 Oct 2019:1120: Stage at Holland & Lyons Mortuary 216 S Norma St Ridgecrest CA 93555 (arrive quietly as service will be going on)
https://goo.gl/maps/EQ6te1rXBozgZH947 1145: Mission brief
1215: Flag Line and Transfer Hero to Coach
1230: Accompany Hero to Desert Memorial Park Cemetery 801 S San Bernardino County Line Rd Ridgecrest CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/FEZzvTwCkMoqxgx191250: Flag Line and Military Honors
R/C Greg "Drifty" Vincent
SOCAL PGR Ride Captain
Sliick333@msn.com
1-760-371-5467
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain.) Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car.) Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Hero’s. No talking, smoking or cell phone use during the Flag Line or Service. Please keep radios and cell phones off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe all speed limits. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
