TEXARKANA - Former Texarkana Regional Airport Director Stephen Luebbert has died at the age of 74.
Luebbert died Saturday at his home, according to his obituary.
Luebbert became the airport director in Texarkana late August 2000, shortly after retiring from the Air Force as a brigadier general, according to Gazette files. He retired July 1, 2015.
His interest in aviation began with Alaska's Department of Fish and Game, where he served as a game warden.
He continued flying in the military for 35 years with service as an Army helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam and instructor pilot to the South Vietnamese Air Force. He transferred to the U.S. Air Force after the Vietnam War as a fighter and bomber pilot.
During his military career, Stephen served as a commander of U.S. and allied forces in Europe and the Middle East. He was a veteran of the Cold War, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and Bosnia.
In addition to flying, Stephen played a role negotiating nuclear weapon reduction treaties with the former Soviet Union.
"This detargeting of (each others') cities turns out to be a major relaxation of tensions in the world," he said in a 2004 interview with the Gazette. "Detargeting led to a much closer relationship between two former enemies. This was the real cornerstone of nuclear reduction," he said.
He also led the Air Force response to the Department of Defense Reorganization Act and the newly defined role of the unified commanders in chief. Stephen also developed a missile defense shield for the State of Israel and provided White House military support to then-President George H.W. Bush. The general also directed the Air Force's conventional cruise missile strikes against key Iraqi targets during the Gulf War.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Stephen began his third career as the Airport Director of Texarkana Regional Airport, where he worked with city leaders to keep the airport open and thriving despite many challenges.
One of his major accomplishments included building a new and improved state-of-the-art Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station, now known as the Public Safety Center. Unlike the older ARFF station, the center is much closer to both the airport's primary and secondary runways, allowing for much quicker emergency response time.
Luebbert also established groundwork for a planned new and much larger passenger terminal to be built near the public safety center. This effort should come to fruition next year.
Luebbert earned a master of science degree in public administration from George Washington University and the National Defense University in Washington DC.
Luebbert was a member of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church.
During his 2004 Gazette interview, Luebbert discussed his formula of having an early spirit for learning combined with the Boy Scout Motto of "Always Be Prepared" and a deep trust in God. He attributed these things to a "great compass for life."
"I believe you always need to be prepared as you trust in the Lord and especially, be prepared for the doors of opportunity He opens for you in life," he said.
A private interment will be held at a later date.