Area businessman Leslie “Kitch” Kitchenmaster, 81, of Lost Springs, died March 20 at Houston, Texas.

He was born Feb. 9, 1930, in Pulaski, Wis., to Walt and Helen (Spaulding) Kitchenmaster.

He was a retired major with the U.S. Air Force and served as an Air Operations Officer with the Special Operation Tactical Air Control Systems. He was manager of flight engineer operations when he retired in 1975. He also served in Vietnam.

He owned and operated Oiltizer Equipment and Sales in Lost Springs for many years.

Two brothers, Jerald and Don, and his parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Dena, of Lost Springs; a daughter, Susan Porr of North Little Rock, Ark.; a son, Robert, of Fort Hood, Texas; two step-daughters, Lina Tomlin of Jacksonville, Fla., and Teresa Sikes of Lyons, Ga.; a sister, Myrene Goerl of Seymour, Wis.; two step-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandson.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion, Lake of Herington, Herington. A private service and burial at Lost Springs Cemetery will be later.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Clarey R. McClaren American Legion Post 12 of Herington in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 404 S Broadway St, Herington KS 67449-3038.