David Howell Regan, 80, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, at his home in Reno, Nev. after a brief illness.

Dave is survived by his children, Lisa Regan Browner (Todd) of Nashville and Col. (Ret.) Michael David Regan (Lorraine) of Alexandria, Va.; along with his granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann Browner and Katherine Lee Browner of Nashville and Aurora Dawn Lewis of Alexandria. He also leaves his sister, Reid Regan Morrill of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nephews and nieces, Michael Morrill, David Morrill, Ellen Morrill Poultridge, Stacey Morrill Bowdren, Susan Morrill and Carol Morrill Selby.

Born in Atlanta, the son of David Reid and Mary Frances (Golson) Regan, he would later move to several cities in his adult life, spending the majority of his youth in Selma. He attended Stark University School in Montgomery, but returned to Selma to graduate from Albert G. Parrish High School in 1952. He attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) during which he was active in Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), Scabbard and Blade, and Arnold Air Society.

Serving in the Air Force for 10 years, Dave flew B-47 Stratojets and B-57 Camberras as a pilot and had over 75 combat missions in Vietnam. He was the recipient of several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1967, he became an airline pilot for United Airlines, retiring 30 years later. He was an active member of the Airline Pilots Association during that period.

Dave had many interests throughout his life, but the ones most cherished were college football (following his beloved Auburn Tigers), coin collecting, golf and building models. He was known for his sense of humor and great storytelling. He even wrote poems and songs, the most memorable for a high school reunion. Dave was passionate and loyal to his friends and the things he loved most. The three words that would sum up his life would be: Auburn, military and flying. David’s place of interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.