Brigadier General Albert L. Pruden Jr. USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Albert “Al” Leslie Pruden Jr. USAF (Ret.), of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026. He loved his family, he served his country, and he loved to fly.

Al Pruden was born on February 14,1934 in Rolesville, NC the only child of the late Albert L. Pruden and his wife Addie. He attended college at NC State graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

He was commissioned in the US Air Force through ROTC, and was selected for training as a fighter pilot. During his 31 year career with the Air Force, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General. He was initially assigned to Air Defense Command, flying F-102 and F-106 interceptors in Alaska and Michigan. Then he served as an instructor pilot in the combat crew training squadron at Tyndall AFB where he helped develop and test improvements of the F-106. Following Air Command and staff College, Al Pruden completed a combat tour in the F-4 with the 366th wing out of Danang, South Vietnam, flying 140 combat missions. He later volunteered for a second combat tour, commanding a squadron and flying an additional 93 combat missions. Between these deployments, he served to improve USAF fighter aircraft and develop future requirements. Afterwards, he participated in the Air Force operational testing of the F-15 Eagle.

Al Pruden was next assigned to command the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron in the Netherlands, flying the F-15, his favorite plane. During this period the squadron was honored with several Air Force awards, and Al was honored with a Knighthood from the Queen of the Netherlands. He later commanded fighter and reconnaissance wings in West Germany.

Returning to the US, his final USAF assignment was as the Director of Safety. He retired from the Air Force in 1986 at the rank of Brigadier General having earned the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit (twice), and 14 Air Medals.

Al Pruden then joined Lockheed and became Director of Advanced Tactical Fighter system engineering, and the F-22 Program Manager for Lockheed. He retired from Lockheed in June 2004, and moved to Pensacola, Florida where he focused his passion and expertise on golf, improving his game, competing with friends, teaching his children and grandchildren, and playing three times per week until his passing.

Al is survived by his beautiful devoted wife and soulmate of 32 years, Julia Hatcher Pruden, of Pensacola; and his four children, Robert Pruden (and wife Beverly), Adele Pruden Schirmer, Mary Pruden Fortney, and David Pruden (and wife Reni); eight grandchildren, Alex Pruden (and wife Lindsay), Chris Pruden (and wife Alzada), Jaimie Pruden (and husband John Crick), Jake Schirmer (and wife Lauren), Stephanie Schirmer, Tucker Fortney, and Hudson Fortney, and Eliza Pruden; and seven great grandchildren, Luke, Oren, and Marit Pruden, Jude and Joni Crick, Merit Schirmer, and Ethan Pruden.

Brigadier General Albert L. Pruden described himself as a loving husband, a proud father, a fighter pilot, and an avid golfer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church, at 3400 Bayou Blvd in Pensacola, with a reception to follow.

A burial with full military honors will be scheduled for a later date, at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the  Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, or Fisher House Inc., or the charity of your choice.