CARIBOU, Maine – M/Sgt. Peter F. Miesburger, USAF Ret., 82, husband of Jean (Wyatt) Miesburger died Wednesday, November 21, 2018, in Bangor. Peter was born on October 3, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA, the fifth child of eight children born to Henry and Elva (Sykes) Miesburger.
Pete married his loving wife Jean, originally from Colchester, Essex, England in Philadelphia, PA. He retired from the U.S. Air Force, with many years of active duty service in aircraft crash rescue/fire-fighting to chief, Fire Protection Branch at several air bases in France, England and Alaska. During the early 1960s, he was a member of a task force, tasked to upgrade aircraft fire-fighting vehicles, to meet the need of modern aircraft fire-fighting procedures, and was deployed nation-wide, to test bare bone air base operations, supporting and up-grading needs to meet current U.S. Air Force field operations.
Peter attended many firefighting seminars, which included Arson/Fire Investigation, Missile Fire Protection and attended SAC NCO Academy, Class 69-D. During the build-up of military forces in South Korea in the early 1970s, Peter was assigned to Headquarters, Republic of Korea Air Force, as a Fire Protection Advisor. During his military career, he received numerous military awards for his dedicated service. Upon his military retirement, Pete was employed by the U.S. Air Force as Fire Chief at Loring AFB and Hanscom AFB, as well as Fire Station Attendant for the Town of Limestone.
During the 1990’s, Pete had a successful Fire Prevention and Safety business throughout all of Aroostook County. The highlight of Pete’s firefighting career was when he was made an “Honorary Member” of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department. In 1975, he received a B.S. Degree in business management from Ricker College using the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill.
Pete was a Life Member of Lister-Knowlton VFW Post 9389, Life Member of American Legion Post 15; Life Member of VFW National Home; Life Member of the Air Force Association; Military Order of Cooties; Korean Service Veterans’ Association; as well as a Life Member of both the VVA and DAV; past Commander of the Department of Maine VFW 1978-1988; National VW Chief of Staff 1992-1999; past Commander District One, Department of Maine VFW 1980-1981, 2007-2008; Post Commander VFW Post 9389 for five terms; and Quartermaster of VFW Post 9389.
Mr. Miesburger was a founding father of the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Caribou and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Maine Veterans’ Home. He was known as an advocate for Veterans Rights and Entitlements, not only throughout the State of Maine, but nationwide as well. He was known as the “God Father” of the County. Pete was selected as the City of Caribou Citizen of the Year for 1974, and the Red Cross “Hero Award” in 2015.
Surviving in addition to his loving wife Jean of over 50 years, is one daughter and son-in-law, Julie and her husband, Gilbert Merchant of Veazie; and one son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Pam, of Lakewood Ranch, FL. He also leaves behind four grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Friends called Sunday, November 25, 2018, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou. Funeral services was held at the chapel of the funeral home, Monday, November 26, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments was held at the VFW Post 9389 following the funeral service. Spring interment will held at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
