Halsey Hines

Cdr. Halsey Hines USN (Ret) Halsey Hines, 89, Topeka passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2006. Halsey was born April 21,1917 in Scott City, KS the son of Ray and Florence Halsey Hines. Halsey graduated from Salina High School on the honor roll in 1935; he attended Kansas Wesleyan University in 1936 and Kansas State University from 1937 to 1938. In 1939 he enrolled at the University of New Mexico. At the end of the school year he enlisted in the Navy Air Corps, received his orders to Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL where he received his Navy wings and was commissioned as an Ensign. He served as an instructor at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, TX, then to San Diego where he was ordered to a squadron. On January 1, 1943 he was deployed to the Pacific as Fighter Pilot on Carrier USS Manila Bay. He participated in campaigns in the Marshall Islands: New Guinea, Guadalcanal, and Truk before returning to Pearl Harbor. He had 400 actual combat hours and 169 carrier landings. Of his many accomplishments he also trained astronaut John Glenn in Pensacola. Following World War II, he spent three years in Alaska in patrol squadron and served as a Navy Representative at Sikorsky Aircraft. He had the privilege of working with Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the helicopter. He served two years with RAF as Senior Exchange Pilot, attached to Coastal Command Headquarters in England. He served as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron Eleven. During deployment to the Mediterranean area, he knew and served under Admiral Lord Mountbatten. From 1961 to 1983 he worked as a District Sales Manager for Investors Diversified Services, Inc. Halsey married Mary Elizabeth Hinkle who passed away January 1979. He then married Francine Neubauer in 1981, who passed away in January 2006. Survivors include his son, H. Kerry Hines, Chehalis, WA; daughters, Betsy Hines, Chehalis, WA; Robin Schmalz, Paris, AR; brother, Jay Hines, Lawrence, KS; step-daughter, Colette Bernica, Great Falls, MN; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Howard “Mick” Hines. Halsey’s interests were airplanes, antique cars, woodworking, mechanics, boxer dogs, and reading. He had a tremendous sense of wit and was known for his offhand comments and humorous speeches. He kept a collection of jokes and cartoons in his wallet. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas National Guard Combat Museum, 6700 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66619 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Halsey Hines

April 21, 1917 - June 27, 2006