Nathan James Lindsay
May 24, 1936 - May 25, 2015
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Nathan James Lindsay
May 24, 1936 - May 25, 2015
Obituary
Major General Nathan ‘Nate’ James Lindsay
Major General Nathan ‘Nate’ James Lindsay, USAF (Ret), was born in Monroe, Wisconsin on May 24, 1936 to Ralph and Gertrude Lindsay and went home to be with the Lord on May 25, 2015, at the age of 79.
Nate graduated from Monroe High School in 1954 and attended the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1958 and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1965. In addition, he earned a Master of Science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1976.
General Lindsay’s Air Force career spanned 34 years (1959-1993). During his career, he was key to the development of the Titan rocket family and played a huge role in launching and deploying numerous classified satellites that are critical to our nation’s defense. He served as Mission Director for X Space Shuttle missions for the Department of Defense. He commanded the Eastern Space and Missile Center at Patrick Air Force Base, FL and thereafter was appointed Director of Special Projects, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
His military awards and decorations include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NRO Distinguished Service Medal, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the 1992 recipient of the General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy. In 1986, he was chosen as an honorary chief master sergeant.
After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for Lockheed Martin for 7 years, where he was Vice President of Mission Success in Denver, Colorado, and led the development of the Atlas 5 rocket.
His faith was very much a part of every aspect of his life. He lived it out with integrity and honesty–in the way he handled people, the way he did business, the decisions he made, the way he loved and treated his wife and family, and in how he lived his life every day. He was very active in the many churches he attended throughout his life.
Nate was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Gertrude Connors. He is survived by his sister, Phoebe Ann Sorenson, his high school sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Shirley (Montgomery), four children: Lori Lindsay (Clint) Smith, Anne Lindsay, Nathan James Lindsay, Jr., and Susan Lindsay (Danny) Brumett; and seven grandchildren.
He would say his accomplishments; awards, titles and positions did not define him but rather the love of his family, friends, and those around him. He loved being a husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed the mountains, the ocean, fishing, walking/hiking, the outdoors, and loved whales, birds, and all wildlife (except squirrels).
There will be a funeral service at South Shores Church, Dana Point, CA on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 pm and a memorial service at Rockland Community Church, Golden, CO on June 7, 2015 at 2:00 pm. His final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the following to help cure this horrible disease:
Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter
To donate online, use this link: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=20723&20723.donation=form1. To write a check, please make it payable to AAOC and mail to 2515 McCabe Way, Irvine, CA 92614. Please designate your donation for research and state ‘In Memory of Nathan Lindsay’.
Or
Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
To donate online, use this link: http://curealz.org/. To write a check, use this link: http://curealz.org/sites/default/files/DonateByMail_DownloadForm_R4.pdf.
Although he is greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known him, it comforts us to know he is with his Lord now.
30 responses to Nathan James Lindsay
Cleta Schultz says:
May 29, 2015
What a wonderful family to call friends. Shirley and Nate always welcomed me into their home whether it was California, Colorado, Florida or Virginia. Nate would tell me to come and stay as long as I wanted – so I did.
Shirley, Lori, Annie, Jim and Susie I always think of you with great fondness. If I was closer right now the first thing I would do is hug each of you. You had a great dad!! I love all of you and don’t forget that God does, too. Be strong in Him and to each other.
Cleta
Dan Cislo says:
May 29, 2015
I am sure that many people have memories of how Nate impacted their lives. I thought I would recall one with you.
Over twenty years ago, Lisa and I were new to Malibu Presbyterian church as a young family struggling with two kids and a third on the way. Then disaster struck. Our home and our neighborhood with all our friends was completely obliterated by the Old Topanga Fire. Sadly, we were homeless and Lisa was ready to give birth to our son Kelley within a month with no place to live, no clothes and no possessions.
Saturday morning after the Tuesday fire was a scheduled Malibu Presbyterian Men’s breakfast. Despite our predicament and scrambling for housing, I went to the Men’s breakfast.
Nate was there and pulled me aside after the breakfast to tell me that we could live in his house on Surfside in Malibu. This seemed unbelievable because we were so desperate and housing in Malibu was in such short supply. This was God’s miracle to us! The year we spent in the Lindsey house was one of restoration and new beginnings.
Lisa and I will never forget what Nate and Shirley did for us and the kindness they showed us. Nate was an example of the kind of man I wanted to be back then and now. We pray for Shirley and the family as they mourn such a great giant in the faith and in the world.
Dan Cislo
Donna Glynn says:
May 29, 2015
When we were all living on the East Coast, I remember being invited for some welcomed good old Wisconsin meals accompanied by Swiss cheese and beef log sausage. And not just once and not just me – Danice came, too,and later John. Maryland and Virginia were followed b dinner at Nate’s home in Colorado. Always a warm circle of love and what was needed so far from home. . .
My sincerest condolences,
Donna
Angie Connors says:
May 30, 2015
It has been beyond AMAZING to read how Nate’s life impacted the lives & hearts of others. You see I had the honor of calling Nate, Uncle Nate. His sister Carol, was my grandma. I think in my lifetime I only saw Uncle Nate in uniform a couple of times. In fact one of my favorite memories is when we were visiting Uncle Nate & Aunt Shirley in Florida. He took us to Patrick’s AF Base. As we were waiting at the gate, Uncle Nate said, watch this…..I have never seen two guards snap to attention so sharp and so fast in my life. Then, being around 9 years old at the time I got a major case of the giggles because I didn’t really understand why they were treating Uncle Nate like that….I mean he was JUST Uncle Nate to us. Being a child, I had no idea!
Uncle Nate always greeted us with a warm hug, engaged in wonderful conversation and had a warm smile and laugh. When we spent time with him he had a way of making us feel special and our time with him was special, a gift really.
My brother, Shawn, said this about Uncle Nate and I want to close with it….
“One of the most honorable people that I can say I knew. Thank you for the memories Uncle Nate. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless”
We love you all and our hearts are heavy for you.
Angie
Lori says:
May 30, 2015
General Lindsay—kind, thoughtful, intelligent and genuinely interested in what each and every person had to say. I had the privilege of working for General Lindsay at SAFSP. It is an honor to have known he and Shirley. Lori H.