Gerald Edward Kuecker, 79
In Loving Memory of Gerald Edward Kuecker
Gerald Edward Kuecker was born December 27, 1942 to parents, Clarence E. Kuecker and Ruby E. Kuecker (nee Ebbeson) near West Bend, Iowa. After moving to Minnesota in 1952, Mr. Kuecker graduated from Slayton High School in 1960 and received his B.S. from South Dakota State University in 1964. He was commissioned in 1965 and completed fixed wing and rotary wing flight training in Pensacola, FL in 1966. As a Naval Officer and Naval Aviator he completed two deployments to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war. Flying the UH-2C helicopter he rescued two downed U.S. Pilots. He was awarded two Air Medals, Navy Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two Naval Reserve ribbons, and National Defense Medal, and U.S. Navy Pistol Expert.
Mr. Kuecker was released from the U.S. Navy under honorable conditions in 1969 and then joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1969. He then flew as a pilot in the SP-2H Neptune and the P-3A Orion on Anti-submarine Warfare missions. He retired from the Reserves in 1985 as a Lieutenant Commander.
Mr. Kuecker also served in the U.S. Treasury Department as a Special Agent and as a Pilot Supervisor with the U.S. Customs Service and retired from U.S. Customs as a GS-14 in 1995. He graduated from the University of Southern California Aviation Safety Program in 1985 and graduated from the U.S. Navy War College Command and Staff Course in 1979. He was VFW Post 750 Commander in 2001-2002 and VFW South Dakota State Commander in 2012-2013. He was a Life member of the VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans. He was also an annual member of the National Rifle Association, Military Officers Association, and Federal Law Enforcement Association.
As a Civilian Pilot, Mr. Kuecker held an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor in Multi-engine, Single engine and Instrument Instructor. He held Pilot Type Ratings in the T-39 Jet Sabreliner, C-55 Jet Citation, the UH-60 Blackhawk and the GS-2 Grumman. He also piloted many other aircraft including: multi-engine turboprops, single engine, and the Bell Cobra.
He was the father of two most beloved daughters, with his previous beloved wife. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Shirley, and is survived by his brother, Ron, and sister, Darlene. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, and a wonderful son-in-law. He was an avid hunter and horseback rider.
Funeral Services will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Jacksonville National Cemetery with Military Honors.
Because of the flower policy of Jacksonville National Cemetery; in lieu of flowers, we ask friends and family please plant Mr. Kuecker’s favorite flowers, peonies, or plant a tree he admired, a cottonwood tree.
Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720
A reception will be announced at a later time.
Directions to Jacksonville National Cemetery
Enter I-295 N toward Savannah to north of I-10
Take Exit 32 , turn left at Lem Turner Road, go 5 miles
Turn right on Lannie Road, go 3 miles
Jacksonville National Cemetery will be on your left
4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32218