"Jerry", as his family and friends knew him, was born in 1944 in Duluth, MN and grew up in the Chicago area after his parents moved to Illinois. His interest in aviation began when he was very young and he joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1959.
As a cadet, he earning his Certificate of Proficiency and was very active in the Glider Program for the Waukegan and Highland park Squadrons. He learned to fly gliders and powered aircraft from his commanders and OX-5 pilots, John Cumberland and Richard Molback. He received his glider solo wings in 1962 and began a membership in the Soaring Society of America, which he continued throughout his lifetime.
He joined the Army in 1968, during the Vietnam era, and began his military career. He served in the Army for 20 years with the 1st Cavalry Division as a ballistic meteorologist. During his military career he served on tour in Vietnam (1969-1970) and one tour in Korea (1980-1981). His military service took him and his family to Germany for a total of 12 years. While there, he joined the German glider club, Flugsportverein Giessen, and spent many hours flying with them, fostering German-American relationships in the community. During his lifetime, he shared his love of aviation and its history with his sons and daughter. He enjoyed taking them to air shows and museums, collecting antiques and memorabilia along the way.
He retired from military service as an SFC in 1988 and continued to serve his country working as a DOD employee for Public Works at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois and then later at Great Lakes Naval Station. Following a heart attack and by-pass surgery, he retired after 20 years of service as a DOD employee in 2010. Due to many complications from his surgery, he was transferred to Lovell Federal Health Care Center where he resided for 17 months until he passed away in June 2011.
In memory of his life and love of aviation, his name is being added to the Wall of Honor.