Frank R. Pimentel

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Frank R. Pimentel

Lieutenant Colonel Frank R. Pimentel, age 93, passed quietly on Thursday, October 10, 2013 surrounded by his family. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts the son of the late Manuel and Josephine (Carvalho) Pimentel.

He attended schools in Attleboro and graduated from Attleboro High School in 1938. He attended Bryant College in Providence RI as well as being employed by Wolfenden & Son in Attleboro MA.

LTC Pimentel was drafted into the US Army in 1940. He then volunteered for the Army Air Corps, and after receiving training as a celestial navigator he flew with the Air Transport Command flying from San Francisco to Australia transporting military personnel and equipment. After the war he returned to Attleboro, when in 1950 he was recalled to active duty in the US Air Force. This became a career that would take him to every continent including Antarctica. During his time in the Air Force he flew as a navigator/bombardier in various aircraft which included C-47 “Gooney Bird”, C-54, C-87, B-29, KC-97, B-47, C-141 and the B-57. Returning from duty after flying support missions in the Vietnam Theater of operations, LTC Pimentel retired after serving a total of 32 years in the Air Force. His Medals and awards during his service include: the Distinguished Flying Cross for bombing missions during the Vietnam Conflict, the Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Combat Readiness Medal, The Army Good Conduct Medal, and numerous Campaign and Service Medals from WW II through Vietnam.

LTC Pimentel has resided in the New Hampshire seacoast area since his retirement, living in Newfields, Brentwood and Hampton Falls. In his younger years he would entertain his children by playing his guitar, ukulele and singing. He would return from his extended absences during his Air Force service, happy to be home, and he would sometimes bring little gifts for each of his children, reflecting the places he had been. Beside his musical talents, LTC Pimentel was also a skilled graphic artist. His family took great pride in the old house he restored. He was a perfectionist whether sorting out nails in his workshop or navigating a thousand miles across the ocean. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, his morning coffee, Hoagie Carmichael, old Westerns and Red Sox games.

LTC Pimentel is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years Frances (Brousseau) Pimentel, five children, Richard F. Pimentel of Spring Texas, Roderick L. Pimentel of Henniker, NH, Christopher Pimentel and his companion Hope Murray of North Hampton, Nina M. Kewley of Hampton Falls, NH, and Jonathan A. Pimentel of Exeter, NH. He was preceded in death by his brother Raymond Pimentel formerly of Attleboro, MA and a daughter Karen L. Rowell, Formerly of Hollis Center, ME. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren Jenny Sprague, Elizabeth Graffam, Michael Rowell, Cathy L. Pimentel, Robert F. Pimentel, Taylor Carroll, Benjamin Pimentel, Alex Pimentel, and Kyle Pimentel. His extended family included Dwight Sim of Seoul, Korea and his late brother Luke Sim formerly of Fremont, NH and Alan Rowell of Hollis Center, ME, NH, 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Michael Church, corner of Front & Lincoln Streets, Exeter Thursday at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may visit with the family Wednesday from 5-7 PM at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Epping . If desired donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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