David Mondt

December 15, 1922 - June 18, 2011

David Earl Mondt, 88, was a pilot who had been grounded for too many years. On Saturday evening, June 11, 2011, after taking a fall on Friday, the Tower cleared his soul for take-off on his final flight. He was born December 15, 1922, to Earl Adam and Texas Elfie (Livingston) Mondt in Boone, Iowa. After graduating from Boone High School in 1941, David completed one year of Junior College. He was only 18 years old when he joined the Army Air Corps as a mechanic. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he applied for pilot training and upon graduation was commissioned as an officer. Assigned to the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, he flew C-47’s dropping paratroopers, supplies, and pulling gliders. David was involved in the first wave of D-Day in France. He flew many missions including Operation Husky, Market Garden and Varsity. After the war, David returned to Boone and married the only woman he ever loved, Yvonna Mae Tingwald. The adoration began in high school where he would follow Yvonna down the hallways because, as he often said, he liked to look at her beautiful legs. David joined the Iowa National Guard in Boone serving from 1948 to 1973. He was a Commanding Officer and retired as a Lt. Colonel. During that time, he had the honor of flying then-Governor Robert D. Ray to the inauguration of President Nixon. In addition to flying fixed-wing aircraft he also flew both Bell and HUEY helicopters. From 1960-1970, David was a Justice of the Peace for Boone County until the position was abolished. As a young man, he delivered milk for Peerless Dairy; then represented Bankers Life Insurance Company for 20 years; and eventually formed his own business, The Reminder’s Company, which he operated until he retired. Beginning in 1971, David began the task of contacting members of his WWII Squadron. He organized reunions for 33 years, eventually joining up with the still existing 62nd headquartered at Little Rock Air Force Base. He was instrumental in the creation of a Heritage Museum for the Squadron which is located at the Base. The history of the 62nd is displayed along with clothing and memorabilia from original members of the Squadron which is also known as "The Yacht Club." He organized the original members of the Squadron to march in the Washington, D.C. parade honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Airborne in the U.S. Army. He also arranged for the men to go to Europe for both the 40th and 50th anniversaries of D-Day. David was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Lodge, American Legion, Cockleburrs and for 50 years, the First United Methodist Church, where he taught fourth-grade Sunday School class and was an usher for many years. David is survived by Yvonna; four daughters, Connie Cross, Carol Vena-Mondt, Davi Lowman and Denice Mondt; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was greeted in heaven by grandson Jay. A celebration of life will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Boone on Saturday morning, June 18th with Rev. Phil Webb officiating. Please feel comfortable wearing festive and light-colored clothing. Coffee and donuts will be served in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service at 11:00 a.m.. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery west of Boone on Highway 30 with military honors provided by the Veterans Council of Boone. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of David for establishment of a college scholarship.