★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
CAPT Scott Hiester, USMC '83 was lost on September 3, 1987 when the CH-46E Sea Knight he was co-piloting crashed aboard Camp Pendleton, California, during a night training exercise. Three others aboard were also killed.
From the eulogy prepared for his funeral:
When we lost Scott Hiester last Thursday, we lost a man with so many varied strengths and interests, his loss affects and touches us that much more. First and foremost, he was a Christ-centered man. He was the initiator of the local Officers Christian Fellowship here in the Tustin/El Toro area, a fellowship that he carried over from his days as a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy. Of course, he was an influential member of his church community, but more importantly, he was a living example of God's tireless servant to all who knew him.
One of Scott's great loves was music, and his tastes were quite eclectic. At training exercises in Yuma and 29 Palms, he would bring his tape player and pop in an Amy Grant tape, followed by a Gordon Lightfoot one, and then he would write a letter to Cathy while listening to Tchaikovsky. We all remember him stomping up and down at Bridgeport and the Stumps, blowing into his bagpipes and causing noise complaints from neighboring Marines.
He loved to sing, work with leather, eat Cathy's home cooked sweets, and his newest interest was his computer. Much to Cathy's dismay, Scott invested in a home computer, and though he told Cathy it was "their" computer, Cathy knew it was his new toy.
Scott was a committed officer and husband. He put 100% of his energies to accomplish the assigned task. He knew the commitments and demands the Marine Corps asked of him, and he died knowing those commitments. He loved flying, he loved his job, he loved life.
Scott kept a spiritual journal, which Cathy has graciously permitted the reading of one of his passages. He commented on one scripture verse, which I would like to read:
2 Timothy 4:6-8: The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me - and not only to me, but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing.
Scott's comment reads as follows: "Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 tells of his readiness to see the Lord, to be with God. The idea is not only to be ready for the Lord at death but during your whole life remain in fellowship, meditating on his promises, and putting Christ first."
We will miss you, Scooter.
Scott was survived by his wife, Cathy; his parents; and his brother.
To Honor! ⚓
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/SCOTT_R._HIESTER,_CAPT,_USMC