Idaho State Journal, 04/13/12
BENNINGTON — Noel “Nat” Talcott, 82, our beloved husband and father, returned home peacefully to his Heavenly Father with his family by his side on April 9, 2012, at his home in Bennington. Nat was born June 19, 1929, in Shelbyville, Illinois. He was the first of two children born to Reo and Gladys Talcott. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Shelbyville High School. He attended Butler College majoring in business administration. He then decided to join the Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force. He started out in 829's in Alaska and worked his way up to chief master sergeant. He served his country faithfully for 25 years and retired in 1970.
This is how his retirement went: Went to work the next day after retirement as the public relations director for Goodwill Industries for the next eight years, then moved to Swan Valley, Idaho, where he went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation at the Palisades Dam for several years, and if that wasn't enough he decided to go to work for the Idaho State Transportation Department until he finally retired again, or so we thought.
This is where he met his sweetheart and companion, Patricia. They were married September 23, 1995, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.
Nat was a lifetime active member of the American Legion and VFW. He was the state of Idaho Vice Commander for the American Legion and during this time it was his goal to visit each and every post in the state. He achieved his goal. I don't know if I call this retirement. He put over 70,000 miles on his car.
Nat loved the flag and every time he saw a flag in need of repair he would stop and ask them to take it down and get a new one. He was also the service officer for these organizations. He believed in getting veterans the services they deserved. He served as the commander for the Legion Post in Swan Valley for several years. He was named “Legionnaire of the Year” at the Legion's national convention.
While chairman of the Ambulance Board in Swan Valley he decided they needed a new ambulance shed and ambulance. He designed the building and it was approved by the Board of County Commissioners. You guessed it, he supervised (not that the contractor needed another supervisor) the building of the structure to completion. They also got their ambulance. Goal accomplished.
As you can see, Nat was full of energy and known for his organizational skills and his ability to get things done. There was one catch; it had to be done NOW or quick, as he called it. Nat always wanted to try new things and definitely had some project in mind and a need to get involved and get it done.
Nat has been active in the Boy Scouts of America organization for over 55 years. He has done everything from helping to build Camp Alexander to cooking at the Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia. He inspected the camps for several years and was a member of the Emeritus Board, when he retired again, maybe. All three of his boys were Eagle Scouts.
Nat was a subject of biographical record in “Who's Who in the West;” a life member of the National Rifle Association , and a member of the Public Relations Society of America. He was elected to NRA Millennium Honor Roll and Legion of Honor attesting to his dedication, unselfishness and patriotic service. He received a service award from the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo for 10 years as a ramrod for the rodeo. This must have been in his spare time.
While in the service of his country Nat was well traveled. He spent tours of duty in Turkey, Japan, Korea, Germany and Vietnam. He even tried to re-enlist when Desert Storm came along. He received this very polite letter that stated he had served his country with pride and suggesting he may be over the age limit. He received the Bronze Star while in Vietnam and many other commendations from the Air Force, NATO Headquarters, and Aerospace Defense Command.
Nat loved to give patriotic programs for schools, conventions, and community organizations, Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. He also gave flag retirement ceremonies for the American Legion all over the state.
Nat was actively involved in various community organizations such as the Bear Lake Emergency Amateur Radio Service (BEARS), Ham Radio Operator, the Chamber and Lions Club. He was named "Outstanding Lion of the Year" for outstanding faithful service and dedication to the community. Nat campaigned to get the Neighborhood Watch signs put in every community in Bear Lake County. Goal accomplished! I think he has given new meaning to the word "retirement.”
Nat was an active member of the LDS Church and served in various church callings over the years. I believe his favorite was emergency preparedness.
Nat is survived by his wife, Patricia, two sons, Noel, and his wife, Nancy, of Virginia, Steven, and his wife, Allison, of California; and his brother, Jack Talcott, of Peoria, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Michael.
Funeral services will be held April 16 at the Bennington Ward at noon. There will be a night viewing Sunday evening at Matthews Mortuary from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends may call prior to services from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Bennington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boy Scouts of America.