After the Korean War, Colonel Faber's assignments included fighter weapons testing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
"When he was at Eglin during 1956 and 1957, he broke the sound barrier flying an F-104 and was one of the first 100 pilots to do so," his son said.
Colonel Faber returned to active combat flying in 1969, when he flew F-4 Phantom fighter-bombers over Vietnam for a year.
Andy Michalak, a retired American Airlines pilot, also served with the 175th.
"I flew F-86s and A-37 Dragonflies with him and always enjoyed flying with him. I even flew with him on his last flight," Mr. Michalak said. "He was a wonderful man, a gentleman and a good guy all over."
During his 33-year career, he had flown 300 combat missions, and his decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven Air Medals.
A resident of Kingsville since 1964, Colonel Faber purchased an old home in which he was able to indulge his passion for woodworking and remodeling.
He was a member for more than 40 years of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in Kingsville, where he volunteered as the church handyman.
Funeral services with full military honors, including a military flyover, will be held at his church, 12022 Jerusalem Road, at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
In addition to his wife and son, Colonel Faber is survived by three other sons, Robert K. Faber of Lubbock, Texas, James M. Faber of Keller, Texas, and John A. Faber of Littlestown, Pa.; two daughters, Catherine A. Rhea of Alpharetta, Ga., and Patricia D. Wilsnack of Sebastian, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
