departures - 2021
Remembering our departed friends and collegues.
Family members and friends submitted the obituaries below. Private obituaries are in the Members section.
Colonel John (Jack) Haneklau
1936 - December 9, 2021
Colonel John (Jack) Haneklau died peacefully December 9, 2021 at his home in Virginia after a long illness. He was born in St. Louis, MO in 1936 to the late Henry and Josephine, graduating from CBC and St. Louis University and commissioned into the US Air Force through the ROTC program. Under AFIT he returned to the University for Basic Meteorology Training, married his high school sweetheart, Joan Guelker, and then assigned to Nouasseur AFB in Morocco.
Jack served in Nha Trang, Viet Nam in 1966 as the Staff Weather Officer for the Commanding General of US Forces in I Corps. His subsequent career in Air Weather Service included headquarters staff positions at 7th and 2nd Weather wings, Headquarters MAC and Headquarters AWS. He attended Squadron Officers’ School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Air University in residence. His last assignment was in the Office of the Environmental Services Division of the OJCS at the Pentagon. He retired from the Air Force in 1983.
After retirement, Jack joined Martin Marietta Corporation (Lockheed Martin) supporting their contract with the FAA during the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS), and later joined other contractors in support of the FAA. Eventually, Jack formed his own LLC to gather and manage a wide group of international partners in the design and implementation of aviation control procedures using GPS technology primarily with African countries. During his contract work with the United Nations in 2010, his group developed and implemented aviation approach and departure procedures for ten airports in The Sudan.
Jack’s quick wit, his great sense of humor, his kindness to others and his devotion to his family, especially his grandchildren, were part of his personality along with great and funny storytelling, laughter and smiles. He loved playing squash and even won a few trophies. He also enjoyed traveling, fishing, gardening and entertaining family, friends and neighbors. He has been a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish for almost 42 years and served as an usher and hospital volunteer for the sick. He was on the board of Azalea Charities (nonprofit for wounded warriors) and also volunteered for Prince William County Literacy Council and the Prince William County Detention Center.
Jack is predeceased by his brother, Robert Haneklau, and his cousins, Joan and William Rudge. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan, his children Mark, Lisa Cox (Michael), Gregg (Susan), John (Kelly), his five grandchildren, Ryan, Katie, Sarah, Josie, and Caroline, and his sister, Rose Marie Sommers, and many relatives and friends. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Triangle, VA on Friday, January 7 at 12:00 (noon). The funeral with full military honors will be held at Arlington Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Capital Caring Health, Alexandria/Prince William VA, 703-333-6960.
Kerry Arthur Bartels LtCol. (Ret)
April 23, 1945 - December 11, 2021
Kerry Arthur Bartels LtCol. (Ret) of Elgin, ND and Peabody, MA ,76, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021. Kerry was born April 23, 1945 in Camp White, OR to Julius Bartels and Ellen May Hubbell. Kerry attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and received his MBA at Northeastern U. in Boston, MA. He was a long-time resident of Biloxi, MS and enjoyed traveling, serving at both Loaves and Fishes and Bethel Men’s Group, volunteering, especially at Mercy House and at Keelser preparing taxes. He was an avid Vikings and OLA volleyball fan.
Kerry worked as a meteorologist and Missile Launch Officer for the United States Air Force where he retired as a Lt. Col. after serving in the Desert Storm. He was also an instructor of meteorology at Keesler Air Force Base and later worked as an enrolled agent for 20 years at H&R Block. Throughout his career, he received many awards, Volunteer Excellence to the Air Force Community, Spengler Award for Outstanding Air Weather Service, and Mobilization Augmentee of the year. Kerry sat on the boards of Rebekah House in Gulfport, MS, MS Coast Military Officers Association in Biloxi, and Treasurer Bethel Lutheran Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Julius Bartels and Ellen May Hubbell; and sister Sharon (Jim) McNaughton of Rogers, AR. Survivors include his wife, Marie L Powers; children, Christopher (Claudia) Bartels of Plano, Tx and Lauren ( Lt. Col. Edward) Hale of Centerville, OH; siblings, Patricia (Carl) Berg of Tempe, AZ, Kathryn (Mike) Haggen of Mandan, ND, Donald (Debra) Bartels of Medford, OR, Judith Bartels and Marilyn (Rusty) Palmer of Bear Lake, MN.
A visitation will be held Sunday, December 19, 2021 for 2 PM-3 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church with a funeral service following at 3 PM. Interment will be at Biloxi National Cemetery at a later date. View and sign online tribute at www.bradfordokeefe.com Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Kerry Arthur Bartels.
Brigadier General (USAF Retired) Albert John Kaehn, Jr
December 2, 1929 - November 8, 2021
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Brigadier General (USAF Retired) Albert John Kaehn, Jr. on Monday, November 8, 2021. He was born on December 2, 1929 in Jamaica, New York. He graduated from John Adams High School in Queens, NY and went on to receive a BA and an MA in Mathematics from SUNY/Albany. He later obtained a BS in Meteorology from Penn State University.
Gen. Kaehn enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 upon completion of graduate school. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, had a tour of duty in Germany, duty assignments in New York, Illinois, California (Naval Postgraduate School), Nebraska (Commander, 3rd Weather Wing) and finished his 30 year service career at Scott AFB, IL as the Commander of the USAF Air Weather Service. He is the recipient of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and specially recognized with The Order of the Sword.
Post Air Force, he entered the private sector working at Global Weather Dynamics Inc., Harris Corporation, and finally as a private consultant. He was elected president of The American Meteorological Society (AMS) in 1987, chaired two committees for the National Academy of Sciences, and was active as a member and served as head of several committees at St. Mary’s Armenian Church, Washington DC. Loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Melina, son Albert John III “AJ”, daughter Susan (David), grandchildren Zachary, Sydney and Riley, brother-in-law Woodrow (Gloria), and many nieces and nephews. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or The Parkinson Foundation. May God rest and keep Albert’s loving soul and bring peace and comfort to his
Robert E. Introne Jr.
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Robert E. Introne Jr., 79, of Londonderry, NH, died unexpectedly Monday, October 11, 2021, while travelling in Phoenix, AZ. He was born on April 27, 1942 in Weymouth, MA, son of the late E. Margaret “Peggy” (Laine) and Robert E. Introne Sr.Bob devoted his life to a career of service. He served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, ultimately achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel.
In 1968, he did a tour of duty in Vietnam stationed in Saigon and Pleiku in the Central Highlands. He came under frequent rocket attack and had several harrowing experiences helping the Montagnard against the Viet Cong. He was a senior meteorologist at Cape Canaveral from 1969-1973 during the heyday of the Space Race, supporting the launches of Apollo 11 through 17, as well as early planning for the Apollo-Soyuz mission. When Apollo 11 made its famous ascentto land a Man on the Moon, Bob was on the tarmac at Patrick AFB, supporting ARIA aircraft operations which enabled spacecraft voice and telemetry data to get back to Mission Control.
Bob would go on to provide weather forecasting for over 100 Defense Department mission launches from the Cape. Bob had various assignments across the country and Europe, where he was a key member of Air Weather Service and supported development and operations of sophisticated air and space systems including the F-117A stealth fighter and various weather and reconnaissance satellites for the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects. He had a command role as a Weather Squadron Commander for a fighter wing at England AFB from 1979-1981; and survived a Baader Meinhof Gang terrorist car bombing of HQ USAFE at Ramstein, Germany in 1981 just after arriving in country.
Bob was a highly decorated officer, who received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal.Upon his Air Force retirement in 1987, Bob transitioned to the private sector, taking a job at TASC. In this capacity, he continued to contribute to National Security, eventually retiring from there as a Division Director after 13 years of providing vital technical analysis and studies for the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. At this point, he transitioned into politics, when he was elected to the New Hampshire State House of Representatives. Bob represented Londonderry from 2000-2016 and was considered an integral and influential member of the state’s Republican Party. With his education, experience and background, he was a natural choice for Chairman of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee.Bob was a proud graduate of Penn State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in meteorology.
He followed the Nittany Lions as a staunch supporter his entire life and regularly could be found on Saturdays cheering for the team. He also received his Master of Science in meteorology from Colorado State University. In all facets of life, Bob was truly “The Weatherman” and all looked to him for his views on the short- and long-range forecast.Besides his love for meteorology and all Boston sports teams, his greatest personal passion in life was sports car racing. He spent over forty years volunteering within the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). He was a driver, nationally licensed Corner Marshall, and Chief/Operating Steward. Once again, he rose through the ranks as a recognized leader.
He served as the Regional Executive for the New England Region, Area Director, and was ultimately Chairman of the SCCA National Board of Directors from 2006-2008. Through his leadership, he helped facilitate the development of new tracks in the northeast. Bob was a constant presence at local track events and was a regular face for over thirty years at the annual National Championship Runoffs. Hundreds of drivers can credit their introduction and growth in competitive motorsports to his mentorship.
Additionally, his dedication to fellow veterans and his community included support and membership in the Military Officers of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Club, American Legion, and the American Meteorological Society.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Carol (Kuryloski) Introne of Londonderry, NH; two sons, Robert E. Introne and wife Wendy of Centreville, VA, and Steven D. Introne and wife Melissa of Windham, NH; daughter, Christina Introne of Derry, NH; six grandchildren; and one brother, Douglas Introne of Orono, ME. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol (Introne) English of Chatham, MA.Funeral services will be held on Friday November 5, 2021 at 10:00am at the Orchard Christian Fellowship Church, 136 Pillsbury Rd., Londonderry. Friends are welcome to attend to pay their respects and offer condolences to the family.
A private interment with Military Honors for the family only will follow at the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s name to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry are assisting the family with arrangements.
Stanley W. Tkach
1942 - October 9, 2021
Stanley W. Tkach of Yorktown, USAF Major Retired, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the age of 79. Born in St. Clair, PA to Walter and Anna Tkach in 1942, Stanley devoted his life to his church, country, family and friends. A graduate of Kent State University and University of Utah, Stanley was a decorated officer in the United States Air Force, serving his country for 43 years.
As a meteorologist, Stanley played a crucial role in leading strategic weather operations for many deployments of the U.S. Armed Forces during critical times for our Country, including Vietnam, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars and the aftermath of 9/11. He was the recipient of numerous medals and commendations for service to the White House, Airforce, and Army, including Airforce Commendation, Meritorious Service Medals, and multiple years as Staff Civilian of the Year while at Langley AFB.
Stanley was a faithful member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for over 30 years and served in a number of volunteer roles. In his “free time” Stanley was a dedicated Scout Master, participating in the Scouting program with his sons, enjoyed model trains and was fascinated with new technologies and gadgets. In retirement, Stanley enjoyed playing Bridge, traveling and camping, spending time with family and friends, and served his church faithfully. He was a beloved and involved “Paw-Paw”, spending hours on the floor with his four grandsons building elaborate wooden train layouts, putting together Legos and watching movies. One of Stanley’s greatest joys was the companionship and devotion he shared with his dogs over the years Fred, Dapper and Codey.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Elizabeth Gulas, Irene Lewis, Rosalie Rehnert, Mary and Anna; and brothers, Joseph and Edward. Stanley is survived by his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandsons: Rob and Cynthia Tkach (Andrew and Alex) of Sedalia, CO and Andrew and Shannon Tkach (Greyson and Branson) of McLean VA; his best friend Larry Herndon of Newport News VA; brother-in-law James Rehnert (Anna) of Saint Clair PA; sister-in-law Frances Tkach of New Philadelphia PA; niece Debra Hafer (Rodney) and family of Punta Gorda FL; niece Sharon Pane (Joseph) and family of New Philadelphia PA; niece Sandra Sipe (Franklin) and family of Cogan Station PA, nephew Jeffery Lewis (Lori) and family of Wyomissing PA, and nephew Christopher Rehnert (Jennifer) and family of Summit Hill PA.
Stanley will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Services will be held on Thursday at 1:00 PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM in Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
Robert Demichaels, Lt.Col.USAF (Ret)
d. September 9, 2021
Robert Demichaels, Lt.Col.USAF (Ret) We are sad to announce that on September 19, 2021, at the age of 83, Robert Demichaels (Grand Junction, Colorado) passed away. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.