John Hain

John Hain was born on a farm in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on July 23, 1933. Being the youngest of five, farm life kept him busy and introduced him to various modes of transportation. Since riding dogs, mules, and tractors was not fast enough, and the horse was tired after pulling the walk-behind plow, he ran track in high school. After graduation, he bought his first Harley Davidson motorcycle and rode it to the top of Pikes Peak in 1952. Joining the Air Force, he worked on airborne radar system development. In 1957 his car and a truck collided on a one-lane bridge, leaving him with pins in his left arm and leg after a year of surgeries both within and after medical discharge from the Air Force.

His care for a young family led to frequent job changes, including multiple airport-to-airport moves to install ground radar systems. While the demands of caring for the family did cause a gap, he eventually got back to his enjoyment of “Horses & Harleys”. He rode a horse as support services at rodeos in Utah, as well as a 50-mile endurance ride. He rode his Harley around the Ogden, Denver, and Billings areas with the patriot guard, Police Memorial group, as well as the Beartooth HOGs. For his 75th birthday, he rode the Harley back up Pikes Peak.

Cancer treatments eventually slowed him down, but he did get in a final ride for his 89th birthday, then enjoyed a party with his FAA and Harley buddies.

John passed away in Tucson on December 31, 2022. His wife Melitta passed away in Billings on April 16, 2022. Both share a place in the columbarium at the National Cemetery in Laurel, Montana. Surviving relatives include his sons Tony and Jerry Hain, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.