Clyde W Siltzer

Clyde (Mack) W. Siltzer Jr., loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on August 23rd, 2023.  He was 86 years old at the time of his death. Mack leaves a void that will not be filled. He was a handsome and extraordinary man. Mack was born on May, 19, 1937 in Wrightsville, PA, to Clyde and Carrie Siltzer. While growing up in Wrightsville, Mack was a standout on his high school basketball team, which earned him a full ride college scholarship. Even with that attractive offer, Mack instead wanted to see what the world had to offer beyond the metal foundries of Pennsylvania. So he chose to join the military, serve his country, and make a career in the Air Force. His love of travel began there and did not end.

Mack joined the United States Air Force in 1956 and served faithfully for 32 years.  His first assignment was at Seymore Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Mack had told his mother he was going down south to find a beautiful southern belle that he could marry; and Mack did exactly that.  This is where he met the love of his life, Betty Jane Capps. He saw Betty singing at the USO as one of the entertainers, and immediately fell head over heels in love with her. Mack knew he had to have her in his life. Betty wasn’t that easy to sway, but Mack was tenacious and he chased her until she gave in. He chased her all across North Carolina, following her in ambulances while she worked if he had to; just for a chance to see her. Mack married Betty on November 11, 1960. Their love story lasted for 63 years. During that time they have raised two sons; Randy and Jody, whom Mack loved dearly. Mack was a devoted husband and father who always had time to spend with his family.  Mack also adored his grandchildren, Colby, Evan, Rachel, Julia, and Kate. He truly loved them more than anything.

After meeting and marrying the couple were then stationed at Royal Air Force Base Bentwaters in Suffolk England, where Mack furthered his career and grew to love pheasant hunting and Labrador retrievers.  After a short remote post in Alaska, Mack and Betty moved to Cheyenne, WY where Mack was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.  Mack would serve at F.E. Warren as a Security Police Supervisor for the rest of his career. He retired in 1988 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank achievable.  Mack then went on to earn his associates degrees in Fire and Public Safety and Psychology from Laramie County Community College. Even after his retirement he did not slow down learning and serving his family and community.

Mack had a passion for cooking and immensely enjoyed barbecuing for his family and friends.  He loved teaching his children and grandchildren his favorite “secret” recipes, especially his world-famous boiled shrimp with peppery cocktail sauce. His other many interests included wildlife preservation, fishing, gardening, fishing, hunting, fishing, golfing, and cruising the local farmer’s markets at the crack of dawn with his family. As well as a real love for fishing. Mack and Betty enjoyed their home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and the many friends they had there. He also loved travelling around the world with Betty and friends. Even though his time in the Air Force had taken him to many of these places already, he was happy to go again with his bride at his side. If Betty wanted to go, so would Mack; after some insistence of course.

Mack was an enthusiastic volunteer with the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo for decades, where he served on the Parade Committee and Grounds Committee.  He was later elected into the CFD Heels in recognition for his many years of dedicated service. Mack had memberships in the Masonic Lodge, Shrine Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, and Trout Unlimited.

As we bid farewell to Mack, and honor the immense impact he had on this world, please join the family for funeral services. These will be held on Wednesday, August 30 at 1:00 at Schrader’s Funeral Home. Internment in the veteran’s section of Beth El Cemetery and a reception also at Schrader’s to follow the service. Mack may not be with us any longer physically, but his spirit continues on in the hearts and memories of the many lives he touched.  

Mack will be remembered as a quiet, kind and generous person with a great sense of humor and a huge love for his family and the natural world. 

Mack was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters Sally and Norma, and a grandson Cale Austin Siltzer.  He is survived by his adoring wife Betty, sons Randy (Kathy) and Jody (Tina), his brother Michael, brother William, sister Joyce, sister Barbara, and his grandchildren Colby, Evan, Rachel, Julia, and Kate.

Cremation is under the care of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby funeral Home, 2222 Russell Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming  82001.

The family's preferred florist for the service will be:

https://underwoodflowersandgifts.com/

In lieu, he would also have appreciated any donation to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, or the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

https://www.cheyenneanimalshelter.org/donate

https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en