Susan Louise Lundstrom

Susan Louise Lundstrom, 79, A True American Hero died April 3, 2021.

Graveside interment with full military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in Arlington National Cemetery with Gen. Jim Hopp, Ret. as officiant. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Susan was born November 15, 1941 in Sterling, IL to Robert and Alice Hagerman Lundstrom. She enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in 1960 and was stationed at Charleston, SC where she completed the training for officers and rose to rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Susan was then stationed at Sheppard Airforce Base in Wichita Falls, TX before being sent to Japan for 3 years. She served as a Motorpool Officer and Household Goods Transportation Officer. While in Japan, she met Mr. Honda of Honda Motors saying he was a very gracious host. After leaving Japan, Susan was then stationed in Hawaii and assigned protocol duties. She became friends with Generals Westmoreland and Abrams. She also had the opportunity to meet Gerald Ford (Senator at the time) and his wife, Betty. At one point, Senator Ford asked her to work with him at Capitol Hill but politely declined as there was a war going on.

Susan transferred to Korat, Thailand at her request where she spent a year as Chief of Administration. While back at Scott Airforce Base in Illinois, she completed her undergraduate degree with honors, then obtained her MBA. She worked at Clark AFB in the Philippines in 1966 for protocol duties. After the Philippines, Ms. Lundstrom was sent to the Pentagon and was selected to serve as personal aide to President Nixon and his family during and after his inauguration in 1973. Upon completion of the White House assignment, she was sent to Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio where she served as Chief of Protocol and Logistics Commander for General F. Michael Rogers for four years.  Susan then went on to Columbus AFB, Mississippi where she served as Deputy Base Commander and Acting Base Commander. She retired on December 31, 1981 after 22 years of service accumulating numerous awards including the Bronze Star, which she was very proud of.

After her military career, she attended Brigham Young University where she graduated with a law degree at the age of 54. After law school, she served as prosecutor for the Rosebud Sioux Nation in South Dakota for three and a half years. It was during that time she received her first service dog, “Hawk” who was the first approved service animal by the VA (signed by President Bush Sr.) for veterans 60% disabled or above who were not totally blind. Hawk was her service dog and companion for eight years. Susan also had 2 other dogs, "Spirit" and "Justice." Due to continuing health challenges, Susan was advised to move to warmer climate so she came to Amarillo in 1998 making it her home.

Susan enjoyed training, riding and showing Arabian Horses. Her life experiences are too numerous to tell in a short story. She was an extraordinary, successful woman who lived an adventurous, wonderful life.

Susan is survived by dear friends, Carol & Burk Whittenburg; Gen. Jim Hopp, Ret. and wife, Mary; and Dick Nicol and wife, Marilyn of Geneva, IL.