Tuskegee pilot lived to fly

Henry Bohler, 82, was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET, Times Staff Writer
Published August 13, 2007

TAMPA - Three months after his first look inside a cockpit, Henry Bohler flew solo.

He finished his training as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944 and eventually became a second lieutenant. In 2005, the St. Petersburg Times featured him in a story about the historic program.

Bohler died Friday after suffering complications from a fall last year. He was 82.

In 2005, he told the Times he knew exactly how long his career as one of the first black pilots in the U.S. Armed Forces lasted: "Three years, six months and 16 days."

But the retired electrical contractor's passion for flying never ended.

He spoke to school groups. He flew his wife, Clifford Marie, on whirlwind trips to places like Alabama and Tennessee.

He attended annual conventions across the country for surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Family members described him as a man with boundless energy who loved teaching others - especially when it came to aviation.

"Even when I was on a plane with him, every time the plane would get ready to lift up he would have his hand tilted up to demonstrate what was happening, or if he was watching it on TV," recalled his daughter, Pamela Bohler Sampson, 52. "That was what he did. He thought about it. He talked about it. He loved it."

Bohler is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and two great-granchildren

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 13312 Cain Road, Tampa.

[Last modified August 12, 2007, 23:51:09]