Harold T. Sentman, resident of Brookline, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on July 1, 2022,
at the age of 83.
Harold was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on March 26, 1939, to Howard and Ardis (Yoder) Sentman. After
growing up on a farm and graduating third in his class from Ollie High School, he moved to Ames, Iowa,
to complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Animal Sciences at Iowa State University. Harold later
earned a Master of Science (MS) Management degree at Webster University.
Harold served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1987, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He
received several awards and decorations that included the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force
Commendation Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal with one Silver Service Star, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm device.
Harold served as an aircrew member in Vietnam, Thailand, and Hawaii. He completed 35 air combat
missions in the B-52 bomber, KC-135 aerial tanker, and F-105 fighter aircraft. Before retiring, Harold
served as the Technology Division Chief and Agency Deputy Director of the Defense Audio Visual Agency
(DAVA) for the Department of Defense (DoD).
Harold joined the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) in 2006 when he was inducted into the local
SAR chapter in Redlands, CA. Upon moving to Missouri in 2007, he transferred his membership to the
Ozark Mountain Chapter (OMSCAR). Harold served in several SAR roles including Chapter Editor,
Chapter Vice President, Chapter President, and State Historian. Harold also provided chapter support
for the JROTC, ROTC programs, Knight Essay Contest, and other chapter community programs. Harold
was awarded the NSSAR War Service Medal with a Vietnam service bar, and several other chapter, state,
and SAR awards.
Harold was a 62-year member of Justice Lodge #28 A.F. and A.M. in Iowa.
A Dixieland jazz music and MG aficionado with a life-long passion for tracing family roots across nine
generations, Harold was beloved by family, friends and compatriots as a trusted leader, mentor, and
friend. He relentlessly pursued learning and advanced education to better the world around him and
was always one to ‘press on.’
Harold is preceded in death by his father, Howard Sentman; his mother, Ardis (Sentman) Shirkey; his
brother, Davis Sentman; his stepfather, Ralph Shirkey; stepbrother, Dale Shirkey; and stepsister, Virginia
(Shirkey Johnson) Zwetzig.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Rosemary (Klimesh) Sentman from Springfield, Missouri;
two brothers, Richard Sentman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and John (Debbie) Shirkey from Oelwein, Iowa
; children, Mark (Lisa) Sentman from Seattle, Washington, Alan (Deana) Sentman from Blacksburg,
Virginia, and Melissa Sentman from Hong Kong; grandchildren Andrew Sentman, Michael Sentman, Jade
Sentman McAdam, and Kepler Sentman; and nephew Thad (Rebecca) Sentman.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a future date.