USAFA Class Heritage

(from dignitymemorial.com obituary)

John Enrico Bellotte was born October 30, 1939, in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

John graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1963. He flew B-52s and completed four combat tours in Vietnam, with additional postings in Thailand, Korea, Germany, and multiple U.S. bases over the course of his career. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in July 1991, after 28 years of service.

Following his retirement, John managed the Ramstein Aero Club in Germany from July 1991 to June 1996, then worked at SAIC in Ramstein until 2004.

John married Nancy Gilgan on June 17, 1965; she died August 31, 2002. He later married Inge "Susi" Ursula Molitoris on June 28, 2004; she died May 5, 2019. He was the father of Rocco, Jim, Reuben, and Lesa, and stepfather to Peter and Corina. He was grandfather to Chase, Michael, Mikaela, Mackenzie, Alhana, Faith, Madalynn, Yannic, and Nicole, and is remembered by his siblings Elaine, Kay, and Carmen.

John was known for never meeting a stranger and for his insatiable curiosity for travel. He was active in his church, including volunteering and singing in the choir.

John Enrico Bellotte died August 10, 2024, at the age of 84.