Karl Otto Kuckhahn

Karl Otto Kuckhahn, United States Army Colonel retired, was taken to heaven Sept. 20, 2013. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Gertrud(Trudy), son Karl O. Kuckhahn Jr., Colonel retired, (Janine) and two daughters Karen Kehl, Linda Kuckhahn, 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and brother Rev. Philip Kuckhahn (Sue). Karl was born in York, Nebraska Nov. 6, 1927, attended Valparaiso University and the United States Military Academy. Following graduation from USMA in 1950 Karl's first assignment was to Germany including much field duty with the Field Artillery. After Germany, military training continued at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas. In 1956 Karl was assigned for 2 years service to the Military Assistance Advisory Group(MAAG) in the Republic of China known as Taiwan. Capt. Kuckhahn and ROC forces endured daily shellings from Mainland China while on the nearby island of Matsu. Returning to the United States, Karl was on Staff of the Creighton University ROTC department for 4 years in Omaha, NB. Followed was an unaccompanied tour in Korea. Returning to the United States Karl served on the 4th Infantry Division Staff at Fort Lewis, WA plus completing the Command General Staff College. By l966 Lt.Col. Kuckhahn was back in Asia serving on the 4th Infantry Division Staff and was Commander of 5th Battalion 16th Artillery in the central highlands of Pleiku,Vietnam. In the summer of l967 Karl was assigned to Hawaii with duty at Fort Shafter. Five years in Hawaii allowed 2 children to graduate from High School plus Karl to earn a master in U.S. History from the University of Hawaii. Following was 2 years as the director of Logistics at Aberdeen Proving Grounds Maryland. The Army saw fit to utilize Colonel Kuckhahn's History degree in a more academic setting at the University of Washington as Professor of Military Science in charge of the ROTC program. Karl retired from the United States Army in l976 and served with Fort Steilacoom Community College ROTC program in Tacoma, WA , and later as business manager at Martin Luther Prep School in Prairie du Chien, WI. Memorial services will be held Saturday September 28, 2013 at 4 PM EST. Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church 560 South Tropical Trails Merritt Island, Fl. Graveside service at Hillside Cemetery, St. Charles, MN October 5, 2013 at 3 PM CST. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the St. Charles American Legion and VFW Posts as well as the Minnesota Army active duty graveside honors group. A reception will follow graveside services at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in St. Charles, MN. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church, 560 So. Tropical Trails, Merritt Island, FL 32952 or USMA Assoc. of Graduates 698 Mills Rd. West Point, N.Y. 10996-9910.