Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Heaton | Lt. Col. (ret.) Lou Nigro, right, is seen with the late Brig. Gen. Harold “Rudy”...... read more read more
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SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich.-- Lou Nigro, a retired lieutenant colonel who served more than half a century at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, has died. Nigro was a Michigan Air National Guard pilot who spent his retirement years helping to transform the Selfridge Military Air Museum into a “must-see” attraction for aviation lovers and patriotic Americans.
Nigro died May 24, 2020, after a long illness. He spent 35 years as a member of the Air Force and Michigan Air National Guard, starting in the enlisted ranks before earning a commission and serving as a pilot in both the C-26 Metroliner and C-130 Hercules. Along the way, he held various staff officer positions while serving in the Air National Guard at Selfridge.
“He really dedicated his life to the men and women who called Selfridge their home,” said Brig. Gen. Rolf E. Mammen, commander of the 127th Wing and of Selfridge.
In 1994, when Mammen transitioned from the Air Force to the Michigan Guard, he flew with Nigro several times.
“In fact, I believe it was Lou who gave me my first check ride in the Michigan Guard," Mammen recalled.
It was Nigro’s tenure as the volunteer executive director of the Selfridge Museum that drew universal accolades. The museum was established in 1975 by the late retired colonel, Bob Stone, who worked to get donations of aircraft to create the outdoor air park portion of the museum. Nigro became executive director in 2000 and helped guide the museum into a multi-faceted organization that certainly features aircraft in the air park, but now also includes a small research library of Selfridge-related materials, a restoration garage where volunteers restore vintage aircraft and the museum itself, filled uniforms, pictures and the memorabilia of more than 100 years of military operations at what was once known as Selfridge Field. The museum is staffed by dozens of volunteers, most of them military veterans who continue to serve by lending a hand at the museum.
Nigro also co-wrote a book, with former Mount Clemens librarian Deborah Larsen, titled “Selfridge Field.” Nigro’s proceeds for the book have all been donated to the Museum since it was first published in 2006.
“The museum wasn’t half what it was when he volunteered to take it over," Mammen said. "He took it from a nice air park to a place celebrating the heritage of Selfridge."
Paul Pochmara, a retired major general and current president of the museum’s board, said Nigro was integral to all aspects of the museum’s growth over the years.
“Lou spent over 55 years at Selfridge with over 35 years in the military and 20 years as the full-time volunteer, non-paid executive director of the Air Museum. No other person epitomizes, ‘service above self’ more than Lou. He will be missed by all who served with him,” Pochmara said.
A planned celebration of Nigro’s 20 years of service at the museum was postponed several times and ultimately had to be cancelled, due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.
Earlier this year, the museum board named Wayne Fetty, a retired chief master sergeant, as the museum’s fourth director, upon Nigro’s retirement.
“Under Lou's guidance, the Selfridge Military Air Museum grew and became a 'must see' small museum in the southeast Michigan area. Through his perseverance and hard work, the Selfridge Museum grew in size and scope,” Fetty said.
Former Member of Congress and current Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller echoed the thoughts of the military personnel and veterans.
“He provided a terrific service to the community by helping to preserve the record of what was accomplished at Selfridge. He leaves a tremendous legacy,” Miller said.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2020 10:57 |
| Story ID: | 370728 |
| Location: | SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 269 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Selfridge Mourns Loss of Museum Leader, by SMSgt Daniel Heaton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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