Douglas Wentworth

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Douglas Wentworth. Courtesy photo.

Douglas Fremont Wentworth
Nov. 1, 1933 — Oct. 1, 2023

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Lt. Col. (U.S. Air Force, retired) Douglas Fremont Wentworth died Oct. 1, 2023, in his home in Kelseyville. He was 89 years old.

Douglas was born in West Peabody, Massachusetts, to parents, Arthur Fremont Wentworth and Blanche Fraser Wentworth, nee Martin.

After the birth of his brothers, Arthur Clarence and Mark Allen, the family moved to Melrose, Massachusetts, where they welcomed their final son, Bruce Martin.

Douglas graduated from Melrose High School in 1950 and Boston University in 1954, after which he married his high school sweetheart, Gisela Schmidt in 1955.

Douglas was commissioned in the Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1953 with various base assignments across the country, including Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he was a crew commander in a nuclear armed B52 bomber as part of the Strategic Air Command.

Gisela and Douglas welcomed two children, son Walther Keith in 1957 and daughter Karen Evelina in 1963.

Douglas retired from Air Force active duty and moved ultimately to Novato, California, working as a pilot for Pan American Airlines until 1991.

Doug Wentworth at an ROTC Summer Camp at Dover, Delaware Defense Base. Courtesy photo.

Gisela and Douglas loved Northern California and became active members of the Novato Horseman’s Club participating in many rides as well as search and rescue as members of the Sheriff's Posse.

Following the illness of Gisela, Douglas along with Keith moved to Kelseyville in 2014 to be closer to family.

Gisela and Douglas were members of the Presbyterian churches in Novato and Kelseyville.

Gisela passed in 2014, and son Keith passed earlier this year on April 4, 2023. Douglas passed just six months later from congestive heart failure.

Douglas leaves his daughter, Karen Evelina Hayes, her husband Scott Hayes and their son, Bryce Hayes, his wife Jenevieve and their two children Emmy Lou and Emmet; their daughter Victoria Jefferson, her husband Kevin Jefferson, and their two children, Maverick and Rylee.

Douglas leaves also Letty Reagan, Keith’s former wife and good friend, their two children, daughter Meggan Folds, husband Jeremy and children Casey and Sean, and daughter Katherine Wentworth and her wife Rachel Johnson.

A memorial service for Doug will take place at noon on Sunday, Dec. 3, at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St., with a reception to follow.