Dist. 214 teacher had front seat at the Berlin Airlift
His name doesn't appear in the history books, but Michael A. Titre played a lead role in the Berlin Airlift of 1949, when Allied planes bypassed a Soviet blockade to fly in food and provisions to people in the German Occupation zones.
Mr. Titre worked as chief weather forecaster at Templehof Air Force Base in Berlin. As a former bomber pilot during World War II, he was responsible for all airlift operations in and out of Berlin.
"He was the architect behind the whole thing, deciding when all the planes flew in and out," says his brother, Peter Titre of Arlington Heights. "He was so proud of what they accomplished. He always thought it was the beginning of the end of the Cold War, since they proved the Soviets could not stop the feeding of the West Berliners."
Family members now are mourning Mr. Titre's passing. The 41-year resident of Arlington Heights passed away Monday. He was 83.
His role with the historic mission is not forgotten, however. Last November, Air Force officials dispatched a cadet to Mr. Titre's home to tape an interview with him, describing his role in the Berlin Airlift.
Mr. Titre also gave many public appearances describing the operation, including regular presentations at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis.
His military career started when he enlisted in the Air Force, upon graduating from Lockport Township High School in 1947.
He attended flight training school and graduated as a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, assigned to the 9th Air Force 405th Fighter Group.
During World War II, he flew 58 combat missions over Germany, earning him many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Later, during the Korean War, Mr. Titre was comissioned again as a pilot and he also served as an instrument flight instructor for the Korean Air Force.
His role for the Republic of Korea earned Mr. Titre a rare set of Korean Air Force pilot wings.
Mr. Titre retired after 20 years in the military, but only to embark on a new career: teaching. After earning his education degree at the University of Illinois, he began his career in 1966 at Wheeling High School, teaching physics.
After three years, he moved to Elk Grove High School, where he taught physics from 1970 to 1984.
"He often utilized his military background in his teaching," adds Peter Titre, himself the former principal of Hersey High School.
"His students not only respected him; they admired him."
Ken Jarosch of Elk Grove Village credits Mr. Titre's physics class at Elk Grove High School with influencing him to pursue engineering in college, before he returned home to run Jarosch Bakery.
"He would stop by every once in a while, to shop -- and to give me a physics quiz," Jarosch says. "He'd always hand back his bakery box and his string; he never liked to waste things. Other times, he'd use the string for experiments in his classroom. He was just a wonderful guy, full of life."
In retirement, Mr. Titre remained active with many community organizations. One of the first was the District 214 Retiree Association, which he co-founded, for not just teachers but custodians, secretaries and other staff members.
The group offered members a social outlet, but it also honored current students with awards and scholarships.
Mr. Titre also served on Northwest Suburban High School District 214's educational foundation and its advisory committee, as well as on the boards of the United Way of Arlington Heights and the Knights of Columbus, to name a few.
Besides his brother, Mr. Titre is survived by another brother, John, of Colorado Springs, and a stepbrother, Conrad (Peggy).
Visitation for Mr. Titre will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, followed by a 9:30 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, 440 S. Mitchell Ave., both in Arlington Heights.