Loren Lundstrom has been blessed with two distinguished careers. After he retired from the United States Air Force as a Lt. Colonel, he transitioned to academia where he retired as a dean at Ozarks Technical Community College. But guiding him through this journey has been a single North Star: a lifelong love of learning.
Lundstrom, who lives in Willard, became interested in the military as a child growing up on a farm in Kansas. “When you’re on the farm, you use your imagination a lot. My brother and I would play war, based on TV shows like ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ and ‘The Rat Patrol,’' he says. “I was always interested in the Air Force. I was amazed by the airplanes flying over.”
Although he had military personnel in his family on both sides, Lundstrom initially gravitated toward law — until he had a fateful encounter with an Air Force ROTC recruiter from Washburn University in Topeka while he was attending Hutchinson Junior College in Kansas. “Major Robinson called me over and said, ‘Have you ever considered what you’re going to do after college? Washburn’s the place for you,” he says.
As Major Robinson spoke, Lundstrom became intrigued. He had been raised on service, loved languages, and was fascinated about the wider world. “My parents bought the World Book Encyclopedia, and I read that page by page, which is where my interest in the world came from.”
Excited, Lundstrom pursued a military life, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1982 from Washburn and a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs – Russian Studies in 1988 from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and graduating from the Defense Language Institute as a Russian language specialist that same year.
His resulting 23-year career in intelligence took him — and his wife, Linda, and daughters Katie, Emily, Hollie and Stephanie — on adventures around the world.
In May 2001, his life forever changed: He was assigned to the Air Force’s Intelligence Directorate in the Pentagon, where he was on duty during the attack on 9/11. In the years since, Lundstrom has presented on his experience, educating new generations on the events while coping with the tragedy.
Following 9/11, Lundstrom supported the initiation of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle as an Air Force Crisis Action Team Executive Officer. His final tour of duty was at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, where he was involved in the planning, coordination and deconfliction of operations between the Department of Defense and the CIA in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Today, I realize how much I learned about leadership, cooperation and teamwork. There’s no place like the military to throw you into a situation and be absorbed in it,” he says.
By the time he retired from service in 2004, Lundstrom had been well-decorated by the military. “There’s a feeling of satisfaction that comes with serving your country and serving your comrades in arms,” he says. “There’s really no feeling quite like it.”
However, one of the medals he is most proud of is the one that was given to his wife, Linda. “It was not always easy for my wife when I would have to deploy or be gone for long periods,” he says. “It was a big thrill when the Department of the Air Force gave her a plaque thanking her for her years of service.”
As Lundstrom mulled his next move after retiring from the military, the pastor at his church in Northern Virginia suggested he investigate Springfield. “Both my wife and I grew up on small farms and we wanted to raise our kids in the country,” he says. The family traveled to Springfield during spring break and immediately saw a connection.
Lundstrom, who had enjoyed instructing while serving in the military, transitioned to academia. He first landed a job as assistant to the president at Ozarks Technical Community College in 2004. And the lifelong learner kept learning: In 2010 he received a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies through the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Before retiring from the college in 2022, Lundstrum had made his mark, serving in positions such as adjunct faculty, Assistant Dean for both Arts & Letters and Enrollment Services, and Dean of Student Development. Notably he was the founding director of the International Programs Office, which he guided from 2006 to his retirement.
Reflecting over his personal journey, he says, "It's very clear that I've experienced a life full of God's grace and mercy. Just a common American country boy, my life was (and remains) filled with wonderful opportunities, answered prayers, and divine guidance and protection."
Although now doubly retired, Lundstrom is still committed to service, learning and family. He continues to work as an adjunct instructor, teaches a terrorism awareness course for the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Academy and is on the board of the God Bless the USA Foundation, which is working to honor America with the tallest and largest flag in the nation. And in his free time, he enjoys precious moments with his four grandchildren and is happily anticipating his fifth grandchild this year.
“The military has shaped my view of what’s important,” he says. “And one of the things that has amazed me about Springfield is how kind and giving the people are.” After living across the globe, Lundstrom knows one thing for certain: He has found home.
Just a common American country boy, my life was (and remains) filled with wonderful opportunities, answered prayers, and divine guidance and protection.