Blaine W. Strimple

Blaine Wheeler Strimple, age 91, of Painted Post, NY passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021.

He was born to Blaine C. Strimple and Catherine Wheeler on January 11, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. 

Blaine grew up in Granville, Ohio and attended Michigan State University.  As a distinguished academic and ROTC graduate of that school, he was commissioned a 3rd Lieutenant  and served 20 years in the US Air Force, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.  Overseas assignments included France, Germany, French Morocco, Libya and Thailand. Among his duties were as an academic instructor at the USAF Officer training school and chief personnel at Korat Royal Thai Air Base, where his unit won the award as the best USAF in 1968. Among his decorations are the World War II Occupation Medal (Germany) and the Distinguished Unit Citation.  Upon his retirement from the USAF, he served 10 years as a substitute foreign language teacher in Southern California, Corning and Horseheads Schools.

He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and the Society of Mayflower Descendants (John Howland).  He served a time as a volunteer for Steuben County Faith in Action by assisting the elderly, as required, with their daily needs, as well as, visiting many in nursing homes. In addition, he created two substantial scholarship funds at Michigan State University for certain students majoring in International Relations and foreign language, whose purpose is to create mutual tolerance, eliminate negative impressions of one another's  countries and focus people on their common hopes and desires.

The second was the Paul Keith Strimple Endowed Scholarship engineering in honor of his brother through the memory of his success and potential that others at MSU may be encouraged to fulfill their own ambitions. 

Blaine's interests included photography, long distance bicycling, downhill skiing and travel.  His more challenging trips included a trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp, a hike in the Andes to Machu Picchu and a trip from Moscow to Beijing on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

He is survived by a daughter, Cynthia VanderArk of Camp Hill, PA, a son, Keith Strimple of McQueeney, Texas and 4 Grandchildren. 

He was predeceased by his mother Catherine Wheeler Harris, his father Blaine C., his stepmother, Marian and his brother, Keith of Painted Post.

Arrangements are being handled by Acly-Stover Funeral Home, Corning. There will be no calling hours or memorial service.  Interment will be at the family plot in Fairview Cemetery, Painted Post, at the convenience of the family.  

Memorial donations may be made to the Steuben County Faith Action.  
 

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