Jun. 28, 1931 - Jan. 18, 2016
“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.” Magee Frederick Giles Altenburg (84) “went West” on January 18, 2016 in Reno. He was born in Elko on June 28, 1931 and spent his formative years in Battle Mountain before moving to Carson City. Dad resided in Sparks for nearly 60 years. Giles graduated from Carson High in 1949 and completed a B.S. in Physical Education at University of Nevada in 1954. He received six
varsity letters in football and track for the Pack, was Co-captain of the 1953 Varsity football team, set the Mackay Stadium (bamboo) pole vault record, achieved membership in Sigma Delta Psi Athletic Fraternity, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. An active alumnus he worked tirelessly to secure funds for the remodeling of the ATO house in the 1990s and was a Lifetime Member of the Nevada Alumni Association.
Mr. Altenburg-an innovative and inspirational educator--taught in WCSD for 13 years most notably at Sparks High School during the 1960s where he helped create the only Aviation Science program the area has ever known. Additionally he instructed many community members in his own garage-bound ground school. Colonel Altenburg also served as an aviator in the US Army. He was lead pilot and commanded the team of men who flew the first SkyCrane Helicopters to Nevada with the National Guard in Stead. Dad spent many years hunting and fishing throughout Northern Nevada. Most of his memorable hunts were with longtime friends in the mountains near the northern Black Rock Desert at “Pit Camp.” He is survived by sister Gail Altenburg Trounday (Roger), children Melanie McCarthy (Tim), Mary Kay Altenburg (Michael Chambliss), Rick Altenburg (Sue), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by father Frederick “Spike” Altenburg, mother Grace Rose, step-father Dale “Pop” Rose, and step-sister Sharon Rose Austin. Celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Coney Island Bar in Sparks at 1pm. Donations in Giles’ name may be made to the Battle Mountain Cookhouse Museum.
