David Hale Groark

Colonel David Hale Groark, USAF (Retired)

David “Dave” Hale Groark was born in Boston, MA, on January 31, 1936, to Edward and Anne Groark. After a year at Penn State University, Dave answered a higher call and earned an appointment to the first-ever class of the United States Air Force Academy. As a member of the trailblazing Class of 1959, he was part of the foundation of a new era in military aviation and leadership. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, but his true passion was discovered not in circuits, but in the cockpit.

Military Career
Upon graduation in 1959, Dave began a long and distinguished career as an Air Force officer and fighter pilot, serving on active duty before continuing his service in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement in 2001. A true warrior, he completed three combat tours in Vietnam, where his skill and bravery were put to the ultimate test.

His assignments spanned the globe and the spectrum of airpower, including:
Edwards AFB, CA:  As a test pilot, Dave was on the cutting edge, pushing the flight envelope of the nation's most advanced fighter jets. His work here contributed to the safety and superiority of future generations of aircraft.
Itazuke AFB, Japan: Stationed overseas, he was part of the forward-deployed forces critical to maintaining stability in the Pacific theater.

George AFB, CA:  Here he honed his skills as a fighter pilot in tactical fighter wings, training for and deploying to combat operations.

Eglin AFB, FL:   In his final active-duty assignment, Dave served as the Chief of Safety and Quality for the base's extensive flight program, ensuring the well-being of his fellow aviators.

Dave also underwent astronaut training and certification, preparing for the next frontier of flight. Though he never traveled to space, he possessed the "right stuff" in every sense of the term. His career was marked by numerous awards and decorations, but he was most proud of the unofficial title bestowed upon him by his peers: World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot (WGFP).

Aircraft Flown
Dave was a master of the sky and flew a variety of aircraft throughout his career. While known for his prowess in fighter jets common to his era like the F-100 Super Sabre and F-4 Phantom II, he held a special affection for his restored North American T-6 Texan.

Family
Family was the bedrock of Dave's life. He and his first wife, Margaretta Bisson Groark, shared a life full of adventure until her passing. They were active members of the Confederate Air Force (now the Commemorative Air Force), flying their T-6 to airshows around the country. In a unique chapter of their life together, they competed in the inaugural season of the reality TV show The Amazing Race, showcasing their shared competitive and adventurous spirit.

After Margaretta's death, Dave found love and companionship again with his wife, Joetta Wells Groark. They shared a mutual love for history, travel, and the occasional high-stakes poker game.

Dave is survived by his wife, Joetta; his four children, Michele, Laura, Lisa, and Michael, and their families; and numerous beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Hobbies and Passions
Dave lived life to the fullest. He was an avid traveler, exploring the world with both Margaretta and Joetta. A keen student of history, he was particularly knowledgeable about World War II and the Civil War. Flying, however, was his ultimate passion, both as a profession and a hobby. He was a man of unwavering integrity and fierce determination who approached every day as a new mission.

On August 13, 2025, Colonel Groark made his final flight, signing off with a cheerful nod to the Air Force song he lived by: "Off we go, into the wild blue yonder, climbing high, into the sun." He was a husband, father, patriot, and a pioneer of the Long Blue Line. He will be missed.