George Windisch

George Allen Windisch, age 87, of Lee" Summit, Mo. peacefully passed away Thursday night, April 24, 2008 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Mo. He was born on Nov. 30, 1920 to George and Della (Starry) Windisch of the Bellview community in Miami County, Ks. George, one of ten children, was raised on the family farm and graduated from high school in nearby Louisburg in 1939. In September 1943 he was inducted into the United States Military and served in the Army Air Corps. Assigned to waist gunner duties aboard the B-17 bombers of the "Bloody" 100th bomb group, George was stationed at Thorpe-Abbot Air Base in England and flew 30 missions to various Axis targets in Europe. During his last mission on Feb. 3rd, 1945 his B-17 was shot down while serving as the lead bomber for a raid on Berlin. The crew was ordered to bail out and his parachute drifted enough to luckily bring him down behind Russian lines. He did have some tense moments when found by the Russians as they seemed ready to shoot at first sight. Finally he was identified as an American ally and eventually returned to England via a roundabout route through Poland, Moscow and Cairo. For this action, among other honors he received the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Medal. On May 6, 1945 George married Maxine Dicke in Manhattan, Ks. From this union his three children were born " Richard, Janet and Randy. Following the war George attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University in Manhattan and graduated in May of 1953. Afterwards moving to Butler, Mo. he began 23 years of private practice and where around the area became known as "Doc" Windisch. His practice mostly involved large animals, but also included the beloved pets of his clients. Seeking a more secure future, George in 1975 joined the USDA as a Federal Veterinary Medical Officer. After supervising meat inspection at the large National Beef Plant in Liberal, Ks. he moved to Lee"s Summit where he continued his duties at RB Rice"s and many smaller plants throughout the area. Retiring in 1989 George finished some long planned projects and did volunteer work for such organizations as the VFW and Lee"s Summit Social Services. He continued such efforts until a few months before his death. George is survived by a daughter, Janet E. Windisch of Lee"s Summit, Mo.; his son, Randy Windisch of Springfield, Mo.; a brother, Kenneth Windisch of Paola, Ks.; 2 sisters, Zelma Wicks of Branson, Mo. and Dorothy White of Louisburg, Ks.; and by many nieces, nephews, friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Rick; three brothers and three sisters and his good friend, Mary Rhodes from Lee"s Summit. A visitation at 10:00AM followed by funeral service at 11:00AM are scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Penwell-Gable Funeral Home in Louisburg, Ks. Burial to follow at Louisburg Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or City Union Mission. To leave a special message with the family please visit our website at www.PenwellGabel.com.