When Lawrence E. “Larry” Leffler completed 38 years of federal service and retired at Tinker Air Force Base in 1980, his Exceptional Civilian Service Award noted that he had “contributed immeasurably to the successful accomplishment of worldwide logistics responsibilities in support of the United States Air Force mission.”
Born in Caddo Gap, Ark., July 25, 1925, Leffler began his government career as an aviation cadet at Wright Field, Ohio, in 1942. He graduated from flying school the following year and became a B-17 crewmember in the 8th Air Force, serving in the European theater. After World War II, he attended bombardier, navigation and supply schools and served in Korea. He subsequently held numerous staff positions for the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
In 1953, Leffler joined the civil service work force at Tinker. He progressed through a number of jobs and attained his GS-15 position in 1961. During his long logistics career, he played a key role in managing a number of aircraft weapon systems including the B-29, B-50, KC-97, B-52 and A-7. He also participated in the management of most of the missiles and several of the engines for which the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center was responsible.
Air Force officials credited his management abilities with doubling the capabilities of B-52 bombers in the Vietnam conflict and with being directly responsible for the depot overhaul program to improve reliability of the “Hound Dog” missile while reducing military expenditures by $9 million. His final position was deputy chief of the B-52 Missile System Management Division for the Directorate of Materiel Management.
Throughout his civilian career, Leffler received 12 outstanding performance ratings, two sustained superior performance cash awards and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. In 1968, he was the command-level nominee for the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award.
Having retired from the Air Force Reserve as a lieutenant colonel, Leffler gained distinction for holding membership in the Tinker Officers’ Club longer than anyone and for having the first tee-time every morning at the base golf course.
His extra-curricular activities also included the India Shriners, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Oklahoma State University football games. Active in the Air Force Association, he served as president of the Oklahoma City Thomas P. Gerrity Chapter and the state organization.
Larry Leffler was killed in an automobile accident Nov. 6, 2002. He is survived by his wife Thelma, of his home in Harrah, and four children, Gary, Tracy, Kimberly and Larry.
