LANCASTER—Ernest Richard ‘Bing’ Kallus, Navy Captain and aviator, has flown west.
Bing was born September 11, 1940, in La Grange, Texas, to Agnes and Ernest Kallus. A lifelong athlete, he starred on the La Grange High School football, track and basketball teams before leaving Texas for the United States Naval Academy in 1958.
After graduating in 1962, Bing reported to naval flight training in Pensacola and never stopped flying. He served in the Vietnam War, led a P-3 squadron, served at the Pentagon and retired in 1987 as the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Reserve, Alameda as a Navy Captain. He then flew 747s for Pan Am and later 767s for Trans World Airlines, retiring in 2001.
Bing raised two children, Michael and Anne, with his first wife, Nancy, and later married Lynn, with whom he built a rich life full of travel, volunteering, and spending time with friends and grandchildren.
A lifelong history buff with a master’s from Cal State East Bay, Bing published numerous articles and two novels. He was always singing—in church, around the house and as a barbershop baritone—and stayed competitive through handball, tennis and skiing for decades. He spoke Czech, German and Portuguese and maintained close ties with family in the Czech Republic. He regularly visited people in nursing homes, attended church and always tried to do the right thing.
Bing was an aviator, a writer and a storyteller…. a good husband, a good father and a good man.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn; his sister, Jane (Bill) Frobose; his children, Anne (Forest Baker) Kallus and Michael Kallus; and his grandchildren, Cecilia, Collis and Odin.
Bing will be laid to rest at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Hostyn, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center in La Grange, Texas.
