My name is Tom Beckenbauer, and I am 78 years old. I have been on dialysis since September 2023 (hemodialysis until January 2024, then peritoneal dialysis). I have been listed as “Active” on the Renal Transplant List since August 2023.
I was born in Pensacola, FL, where my father was stationed when training to become a Naval Aviator. When I was 18 months old, my mom and dad relocated to New York and later, to Connecticut. I attended high school at Mt. Hermon Preparatory School in Massachusetts. Next, I attended college in Ohio, where I obtained a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University.
With a passion for flying, I joined the Navy in 1968, got my Naval Flight Officer wings and served on active duty for the next 27 years. During that time, I made seven deployments on various aircraft carriers. Flying in the F-4 Phantom first, then the F-14 Tomcat (callsign: Wulf), I amassed over 2500 flight hours and 700+ carrier landings. Shore tours included Oceana (VF-101) and NAS Norfolk (Naval Safety Center, COMNAVAIRLANT – 2 tours).
I retired in 1995 after serving four years as Commanding Officer of the Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Atlantic, (FASOTRAGRUANT) in Norfolk, VA. While in the Navy I received the following awards: Meritorious Service Medal (4 times), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal (2 times), Navy Expeditionary Medal (2 times), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4 times
After retirement from active duty, in June 1995, I relocated with my family to Costa Mesa, CA and continued to wear the uniform for another three years, serving as a Naval Science Program Manager and Instructor in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Anaheim High School, Anaheim, CA.
In 2012, I founded the nonprofit Catholic Aviation Association (CAA). With a motto of FAITH, FLYING & FELLOWSHIP, CAA’s mission is to serve, support, and equip the People of God in all segments of the aviation community so that they will be enabled to live out their faith in the public square, achieve their aviation related goals, and find fellowship and community with other like-minded people. I currently serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
I’m married to Joyce-Margaret Beckenbauer, and we have 5 children: a son and a daughter in Heaven, a son in Costa Mesa, CA, a daughter in the Bronx, NY and another daughter in Carmel, IN. All three are married and have each given us a granddaughter. We reside in Carmel, IN and attend Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.
I am a private pilot who is instrument rated, as well as a Glider Flight Instructor. I enjoy flying Light Sport Aircraft and instructing in gliders at Soar Indy, Alexandria, IN. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Tom’s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611