Former Air Force Secretary Dies At 92

Verne Orr, the fourteenth secretary of the Air Force, died Nov. 27 at age 92 in his home in Pasadena, Calif. He served under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985.

"Former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr was a leader and a professional committed to the United States Air Force and our nation during a crucial period of change," said current Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "Although he served during a time of increased defense spending and modernization, he will be remembered most for his deep commitment to our Airmen and their families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one."

Before becoming secretary of the Air Force, he taught government finance courses at the University of Southern California Graduate School of Public Administration from 1975 to 1980. He later served on the Reagan Presidential Campaign Committee and was deputy director of the office of the president-elect during the transition.

Secretary Orr was born in 1916 in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up in the Midwest and moved to California with his family about the time he entered high school. He graduated from Pomona College in California with a bachelor of arts degree in 1937 and earned his master's degree in business administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1939.

Secretary Orr served as an ensign in the supply corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1942 to 1951. During World War II, he served in both the American and Pacific theaters of operations. He was released from active duty as a lieutenant in November 1945, and was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve as a lieutenant commander in 1951.

Following his military service, Secretary Orr held positions in both the civilian and government sectors. He served as president of Investors Savings and Loan in Pasadena, and director of motor vehicles in California under then-Governor Ronald Reagan. He also served briefly as the state's director of general services, and in January 1970 he began a five-year term as California's director of finance.

Secretary Orr's civic activities included president of the Pasadena Merchants Association, president of the Kiwanis Club of Pasadena, president of the Family Services Association of Pasadena, president of the United Way of Los Angeles County and foreman of the Los Angeles County Grand Jury. California Governor Jerry Brown named him a regent of the University of California in 1977.

He was honored as Phi Beta Kappa, Salvation Army Man of the Year in Pasadena for 1970, and was an honorary member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Pasadena Kiwanis Club, Pasadena Rotary Club and Pasadena University Club.

An annual Air Force award is named for Secretary Orr that recognizes an active-duty or Reserve Air Force unit that makes the most effective use of its human resources. There also is an Air Force spouse award named for his first wife, Joan Orr, which recognizes spouses who have made significant contributions to the Air Force. She died in 1988.

Secretary Orr leaves behind his wife Sarah Smith Orr, two children, two stepchildren and two grandchildren. A memorial service for Secretary Orr will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the First United Methodist Church in Pasadena.

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