Lt. Col. Peter R. Livingston, – Class of 1978
Retired Lt. Col. United States Air Force and former Test Pilot and Instructor (deceased)
Peter grew up in Foster, RI with his parents and two brothers. Peter graduated from Ponaganset High School in 1978 and was the Salutatorian. Upon graduation Peter was accepted into the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado; a feat hard to achieve. He went on to serve his country around the world for 24 ½ years. His last assignment before retiring was Division Chief at the United State Pentagon. Here is a recap of Peter’s military career:
June 1978 – June 1982 USAF Academy, CO Cadet
June 1982 – July 1983 Columbus AFB, MS Pilot Training
August 1983 – Dec. 1983 Little Rock AFB, AR C-130 Pilot Training
Dec. 1983 – Dec. 1988 Dyess AFB, TX C-130 Pilot
Jan. 1989 – April 1990 Howard AFB, Panama Command Post
April 1990 – Aug. 1993 Little Rock AFB, AR C-130 Instructor Pilot
Sept. 1993 – June 1997 Charleston AFB, SC C-17 Operational Test
July 1997 – July 2000 Scott AFB, IL C-17 Test Manager
Aug. 2000 – June 2001 Maxwell AFB, AL Air War College
July 2001 – June 2004 Wright Patterson AFB, OH C-130 Test Manager
July 2004 – Oct. 2006 Pentagon, Washington DC Division Chief
Peter was an Air Force test pilot and instructor for both C-130 and C-17. He flew many humanitarian aid missions into war torn countries such as Bosnia, Armenia and Iran. He took his squadron on test missions to the North Pole and Iceland. While stationed in Panama in 1989 he was involved in the capture of Manuel Noriega, military dictator in Panama.
During his military career, Peter carried on his lifelong love of the Boy Scouts. Peter earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop #101 in Foster and until his death was a leader and mentor of many young men and women in the Boy Scouts and Venturing Crews. Peter always found time to take his Scouts and Venturing Crews on trips. One trip was with scouts to the Boundary Waters – Upper Minnesota canoeing along the Canadian Border. Another trip was to South Dakota backpacking in the Badlands & Black Hill, Crazy Horse & Mt. Rushmore. The Outer Banks of North Carolina was another trip kayaking to an almost deserted part of Cape Hatteras. He was Chairman of the Council’s International Committee and Chairman of the Venturing Committee. He was also involved in promoting awareness of International Scouting. His involvement in Boy Scouts and Venturing made a difference in so many young lives.
Upon his retirement from the USAF, Peter taught high school math. First teaching at a charter school helping kids get a second change at a high school diploma and then moved to the Dayton Public School System. Peter and his wife, Sandy, also hosted exchange students and scouts from around the world; Thailand, Russia, Bolivia, Iraq, Dominican Republic, Korea and South Korea to name a few.
Peter’s years of serving his country in the Air Force, his years of contributing to the Boy Scouts and Venturing Crews and when he could have retired and enjoyed life – his teaching of students who wanted a second chance at getting their diplomas- are perfect example of his distinguished life.