Capt. Jason Erickson, former commander of the of Sioux Falls Composite Squadron, presents a certificate of appreciation to Francis and Rosemary Beuckens in 2013 for their generous support of flight scholarships for CAP youth members. S.D. Civil Air Patrol photo.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Rosemary Beuckens, 83, of Sioux Falls, died October 8 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
She had been a long-term contributor to the Civil Air Patrol’s Sioux Falls Composite Squadron for flight scholarships for cadet (youth) members.
Beuckens and her husband, Francis, lost their son, Brett, a professional pilot, in 2010 in a flying accident. They established the flight scholarship memorial in his memory, allowing Sioux Falls Composite Squadron cadets to begin their flying careers.
“Rosemary’s strong commitment to the fund over the years has personally encouraged and taken great personal joy in seeing each cadet achieve their flight goals,” said Chaplain Gary W. Rae, Lt. Col., CAP, the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron chaplain. “Her spirit and encouragement and generosity will be greatly missed by the SFCS.”
Rosemary’s driving passion saw many cadets receive enough funds to help them solo. Among the most recent recipients, one cadet has not only earned his private license but commercial, instrument, CFI ratings and is a CAP Mission Pilot; another soloed on her 16th birthday; a third is still advancing in her instruction; and a recent recipient soloed at CAP’s National Flight Academy this summer.
Rosemark was buried Friday morning at Woodlawn Cemetery.
(The S.D. Civil Air Patrol contributed this report/news release.)
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