On Christmas Day, 1951 Donald and Peggy Aertker received the extraordinary gift of a son, Alan Frederick Aertker. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Al was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. That is where Donald worked for General Dynamics as an engineer in the F-111 and F-16 programs.
In 1974 Al graduated from Texas A&M majoring in Business Administration/Management Accounting. His involvement with USAF ROTC as the Corps Staff Operations Officer ultimately led him to be an officer in the Air Force stationed at England AFB, Louisiana. At England Al served as Base Auditor, during which time he uncovered some fraud perpetrated by a civilian contractor against the base. June 1975 Lt Aertker was selected for navigator training school at Mather AFB, California.
September 1976 1st Lt Alan Aertker married 1st Lt Jean Henderson, a nurse whom he met while stationed in Louisiana. They were soon transferred to the United Kingdom, and baby Kate arrived 11 August 1977. Two weeks later, Alan Aertker was killed. He was buried in Fort Worth just two days prior to his one year wedding anniversary. Al was posthumously promoted to Captain on 14 October 1977.
Alan was survived by his siblings who were so close to him; brothers Rowland, Roger (deceased 1998), Larry and Mark Aertker, and sister Donna Wright (by marriage).