"Everyday heroes" power up at Mathis Fitness Center

  • Published
  • By Caroline Olsen
  • 17th Medical Operations Squadron
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Have you ever wondered if superheroes really exist? They do - and these real-life superheroes are not only among America's finest retired military members, they also happen to be in their 80s! Sure, they wear sweat suits, not tights, but these two men come to the Mathis Fitness Center almost every day and are the role models of our community.

When you speak to retired Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force Steve Tefas, you can tell how proud he is to have served our country for 23 and a half years, from January 1950 to July 1973. More importantly, you should see his eyes light up when he talks about his wife, children and community.

"I served 12 years overseas in Scotland and Germany, and served in Vietman from January 1968 to January 1969. The Pueblo affair took place right after I landed in Veitnam, and shortly thereafter we were hit with [the] Tet [Offensive]." Earlier, in 1951, he helped re-open a World War II-era transport base in Scotland.

Then there's retired Lt. Col. John Dierker, who moved to San Angelo in 2006 to be closer to his son. After meeting with Garry Capers, the fitness program manager at the Health and Wellness Center, Colonel Dierker began an exercise program that has served him well. Due to the increased physical activity, he was also able to return to his former commitment of donating blood to the community.

"The World War II draft expired six weeks before my 18th birthday, but the draft was re-instated while I was in college," Colonel Dierker said. "In order to avoid interrupting my education, I joined the Oklahoma National Guard, not knowing that college deferments would soon be available.

Though we were called up for two years, I have no regrets about serving." While serving in Korea, Colonel Dierker was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. After returning home, Colonel Dierker joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard, finished law school, became a judge advocate and joined the Air Force Reserves upon leaving Oklahoma.

It's difficult to compile 160 years of combined experience in one short article, but in a nutshell, Colonels Tefas and Dierker are two superheroes who could run circles around most 20-something-year-olds. As Colonel Dierker leaves the HAWC every morning, he says "Alright, y'all. Live it up!" This is great advice from an octogenarian who has done just that.

"Shortly after I moved into town in, I met Steve here in the gym and we began working out together," said Colonel Dierker. "In fact I thought Steve was older than me. I found out he's 4 months younger than me. Spring chicken!"

"We like to work out. It keeps us out of pool halls and bars," added Colonel Tefas. "I've been coming to the Goodfellow gym for as long as I can remember."

"It seems everyone was healthy when we were kids," said Colonel Dierker. "We don't think it should be that hard to stay fit, so we hope to encourage others to exercise and have a daily workout routine to stay healthy."

When the two heroes met a 60-year-old on base and asked him to come work out with them, he replied that he was too old.

"Too old?" they said. "We're doing this stuff at 80! Come tell us you're too old in 15 years!"