Doug Birdsall, 91, of Palm Desert, Calif., passed away May 25, 2013 at his home in Palm Desert. He was born June 15, 1921 to Lynn and Lillie Birdsall in Pomona, Calif. He was a most remarkable man, truly loved and respected by everyone. His wife, Carla, can't imagine life without his love in her life. He thoroughly enjoyed his last 12 years of his life at Marrakesh Country Club, playing golf. He tried to never miss one of his several bridge and poker games every week; he enjoyed his fellow players so much. Doug had a remarkable career. He was a military navy captain for 25 years and an airline captain for 14 years. He joined the Pacific Fleet in Hawaii in 1942. After that, he was assigned to Guam in the Aleutians Islands. He served as executive officer of a seaplane squadron based at Iwakuni, Japan during the Korean War and 2 years duty as navigator of an aircraft carrier. He was also a commanding officer of a seaplane patrol squadron based at Norfolk, Va. The highlight of his shore duty was serving five years at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md., where he was privileged to serve with future astronauts: John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Pete Conrad, Scott Carpenter, Alan Bean, Wally Schirra and Jim Lovell. He served his last year there as Director of the Naval Air Test Pilot School. He retired from the Navy in 1966 in the rank of captain. He then flew for fourteen years with Air California until mandatory retirement at the age of 60. He was a member of Red Hill Country Club since 1967 and Marrakesh Country Club for the last 12 years. He was married to Carla Young Birdsall for the last 16 years. He is survived by his spouse, Carla of Palm Desert.; son, David Birdsall; brother, Roger Birdsall of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; 6 grandchildren, including Dawn, Diane, Douglas and Danielle; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first spouse, Nancy Birdsall and his daughter, Robin Kelly in 1996, who was the mother of 2 of his grandchildren, Brian and Risa. A prayer service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 12 pm to 1 pm in the Ramon Chapel at Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, Calif., with a reception to follow from 1 pm to 3 pm in the Ramon Room at Forest Lawn. Interment will take place on Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10:45 am at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Calif. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.
