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  • Capt Irene N. Wirtschafter USN
  • Foil: 5 Panel: 2 Column: 4 Line: 18

    Wall of Honor Level:
    Air and Space Friend

    Honored by:

    PERSONAL:
    Born 5 August 1918 - Elgin, II. - Daughter of David A. and Ethel G. Nerove (deceased). Married - Burton S. Wirtschafter (deceased). Died 19 May 2007, Cocoa Beach, FL.

    EDUCATION:
    B.C.S. Columbus Univ.; Phila Board of Realtors (Appraiser), Insurance Broker; CPA Review, and other continuing education courses. Graduate Elgin High School

    MILITARY:
    - Commissioned Ensign, U.S. Navy 1944 (Supply Corps)
    - Retired as Captain 1976
    - SEA DUTY: Assistant Supply Officer 1956
    - Commanding Officer Supply Unit 1973-1975
    - Honorary Chief United States Navy - 1973
    - National Treasurer NAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIATON 1975-1977
    - National Advisory Committee, Naval Reserve Association 1978 - date
    - Appointed by Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of the Navy's Advisory Committee for Retired Personnel, 1984 - 1987
    - Elected National Trustee, Association of Naval Aviation 1984 - date
    - Founder and Comptroller ANA Banana River Squadron 1985 - date
    - Appointed to Veterans Administration Advisory Committee on Women Veterans 1986-1989
    - Navy Liaison Officer ,COMMANDER'S RETIREES COUNCIL, Patrick AFB 1985-1988
    - Retired Officers' Association (ROA) - Past Chapter Officer
    - The Retired Officers' Association (TROA) - Florida Conference Committee - 1987. Golf Committee 1997-date
    - NAVAL ORDER- Past DC. Commandry Officer. Chartered 3 Commandrys
    - WAVES NATIONAL - Board Member Space Coast Chapter 1990 - date
    - TAILHOOK ASSOCIATION
    - NAVY LEAGUE
    - Guest of Honor - 1124th RECRUIT REVUE. Orlando Naval Training Station

    CIVIC (current):
    - City of Cocoa Beach Library Board - Appointed 1996 - date
    - Cape Canaveral Hospital Senior Advisory Board- 1989, Co-Chairman 1995 - date
    - Florida Silver Haired Legislature - Elected to House of Representative - 1984--1991
    - Elected to Senate -1991 - date
    - Florida Space Coast Philharmonic - Treasurer 1989-1992, Board of Directors 1986 -1997
    - President, Friends of Cocoa Beach Library 1987-1991. Board of Directors 1985 - date
    - Brevard Zoo - Founding Member - Volunteer 1992 - date
    - Rotary International
    - Patrick Women's Golf Association - Treasurer 1996-1997
    - Board Member-International Women's Air and Space Museum -1999-date
    - STAR for NSPSSM for mid-Florida area 1999-date
    - HONOR AMERICA MUSEUM - Board Member - 2000-date
    CIVIC (past):
    - U.S. Senate Senior Intern Program -1983
    - Brevard County Energy Task Force -1989
    - Cocoa Beach Citizens League - Board Member and Advertising Manager
    - Cocoa Beach Bi-Centennial Committee - Board Member
    - City of Cocoa Beach Code Enforcement Board- Chairman 1989 - 1992 1992-1995
    - City of Cocoa Beach Code Enforcement Board-Chairman 1989-1992. Member 1992-1995
    - Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee -1988-90
    - Consultant - Junior Achievement - 1989 - 1992
    - Brevard County Cultural Grants Board - 1993 - 1997
    - Chairman, Johnny Horizon Day, College, Md., Airport
    - Treasurer, The Landings Condo Association - 1986 -1989
    - Founder and Officer - Brevard County Senior Action Committee
    - Troop Leader of Girl Scouts, Wing Scouts, Sea Scouts, Wing Scout Advisor, etc.
    - Many other activities prior to above dates

    CAREER (past):
    - Internal Revenue Agent, U.S. Treasury, Office of International Operations, International Banking Specialist
    - Real Estate Associate; Real Estate Appraiser; Insurance Broker; Statistician; Accountant; Amway Distributor.
    - Tax consultant, tax professional
    - Enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service

    AVIATION:
    - Current commercial instrument pilot Single-engine land and SES.
    - 21 air races, including Powder Puff Derby and International Air Races
    - Civil Air Patrol, Lt Col and Mission Pilot.
    - Past Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Accident Prevention Counselor
    - Owner of Cessna Skyhawk
    - Delegate to World Aerospace Education Organization Congress-New Delhi 1986; Amman 1989; Milan 1992
    - The 99s - past international, section, and chapter offices.
    - Silver Wings Fraternity - National Secretary - 1990. Current Board Member.

    OTHER:
    - International Visitors Association
    - Navy Supply Corps Association
    - Brevard Symphony Guild
    - Space Coast Tiger Bay Club
    - Etc.

    HONORS:
    - NATIONAL AWARD OF MERIT, Naval Reserve Association, 1992
    - SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD, Rotary Day Break Club, Cocoa Beach. 1998
    - Conference Room in new Cocoa Beach Public Library named for her.
    - KEYS to cities of Wilmington, 1963; to Atlantic City. 1966, to New Orleans, 1988; to Atchison, KS, 1989, to College Park, Md.
    - WOMAN OF THE YEAR award , 1985, from Silver Wings Fraternity
    - Certificates of Appreciation from: Florida Silver-Haired Legislature; Space Coast Philharmonic; 99s; Space Coast Chapter 99s; International 99s, Veterans Administration, etc.
    - Certificates of Achievement from Florida Race Pilots Association, and AWTAR
    - HONORARY CITIZEN of Winnepeg, Canada; Atchison, KS and New Orleans
    - HONORARY COMMISSIONER of Agriculture, Louisiana
    - Kentucky Colonel; Louisiana Colonel; Missouri River Admiral
    - Honorary Deputy Fire Marshal, State of Florida
    - Name inscribed in Memory Lane of the International Forest of Friendship - KS
    - Ninety Nine Achievement Award - 1968
    - Listed in Who's Who —in Aviation; in the world; of American Women; in Finance and Industry; in the South; 2000 Notable Americans; Foremost Women of the 20th Century; 5,000 Personalities of the World; Directory of Distinguished Americans; Who's Who in America; Who's Who in the World, etc.

    Wall of Honor profiles are provided by the honoree or the donor who added their name to the Wall of Honor. The Museum cannot validate all facts contained in the profiles.

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