Death of a Classmate - Norman Deam - 12th Co

                                                                             

 Norman Deam  (February 22, 1932 - January 8, 2022)

San Luis Obispo, California - Norman Arthur Deam passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in San Luis Obispo, California on January 8th, 2022. He was 89. Norm will be remembered by his free spirit, intellect, and wit.

Norm was the youngest of three born to Arthur Deam, a professor of architecture, and Thyra an accomplished pianist. Norm finished high school in Champaign Urbana, Illinois and spent summers at the family's decommissioned government lighthouse in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Norm loved playing sports and as the captain of his basketball team became his school's all-time high scorer. He met Connie Graves at a beach party when he arranged to "swap" dates with a friend so that he could meet her. They were married in 1956 and enjoyed 63 years together while raising their two sons, Eric and Chris.

Norm attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated with honors in 1954. He continued his education at the Naval Postgraduate school in Monterey, CA, where he finished first in class, studied Russian Language Scientific Reading at the Army Language School, and earned a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Norm began his Naval career as a fighter pilot and squadron leader on the USS Hornet. He was a flight instructor at NAS North Island in Coronado, CA, and served on the USS Kitty Hawk. He was also an Astronaut candidate at NASA and led the development of the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile program (HARM). He finished his career in the Navy as the Program Manager of all test programs at the Pacific Missile Test Center at Pt. Mugu, CA. Norm was proud to wear the uniform even though it pinched a bit.

After thirty one years of service, Norm retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy. He went on to teach Aeronautical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he was a lecturer for ten years. He was well liked by students who enjoyed his dramatic stories about his life as a pilot.

In retirement Norm enjoyed traveling with his intrepid wife Connie. Their adventures took them to places of scenic beauty including New Zealand, Sweden, Italy, Turkey, Peru, Brazil, Mongolia, China, Africa, and the US national Parks. From each place he visited, Norm would bring home an exotic hat for his extensive collection that he hung on the ceiling of his cherished "Lighthouse" in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Norm was often the life of the party and never missed an opportunity to connect with friends and share a good laugh. He enjoyed meeting new people and it seemed like he remembered everyone he met. Known for his hilarious stories and vivid recollections of misadventure, he often left us crying with laughter. He loved a good costume party (especially in drag), and threw boisterous "hat and tie" parties where the dress code was a hat, a tie, and a swimming suit (which he went without occasionally to enjoy a moonlit skinny-dip with Connie). Norm would also amuse his grandkids by using a hammer to do a jigsaw puzzle, a shoe for a canoe paddle, or his ears to "eat" popcorn. They never quite knew what to expect next.

Norm and Connie made people feel welcome and special, and acted as surrogate parents to many younger friends (who Norm mercilessly put to work on building and maintenance projects). They loved their community on the Old Harbor where they took glass blowing and painting classes at the Ox-Bow School of Art, had many friends, and collected works by young artists. Norm also enjoyed documenting local history and gave lectures to the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society about his life growing up in the Lighthouse.

In San Luis Obispo, Norm enjoyed his membership in the Retired Active Men's Club (RAMS), being a docent for elephant seals at San Simeon, watching Cal Poly sports, and landscape painting (which he adopted in his 70's).

Norm also loved nature and was devoted to protecting the environment, especially the unspoiled dunes around his family's Lighthouse. Later in life, he was reluctantly embroiled in one of the largest land disputes in Michigan when he was forced to defend his property from hostile development. Norm's dedication to stewardship and legal perseverance enabled the Land Conservancy of West Michigan to purchase the surrounding lands with generous grants and donations from the state and local community. The end result of Norm's achievement was the preservation of 180 acres of pristine freshwater dune and wetlands that is now the Old Harbor Natural Area in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Ultimately, Norm will be remembered as the Lighthouse Keeper who lit the light to guide our way.

He is preceded in death by his wife Constance Graves Deam in 2018, and survived by his sons Eric and Chris, his daughter-in-law Lara, and grandchildren Cal and Macy.

A celebration of his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo on April 2, 2022, and a celebration of both Norm and Connie's lives is tentatively scheduled at the Historical Society on July, 24, 2022 in Douglas, Michigan.

In respect of Norm's devotion to nature and art, please consider making a donation to the Ox-Bow School of Art, the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance, or the West Michigan Land Conservancy.

Published by The Tribune from Jan. 29 to Jan. 30, 2022.

Death of a Classmate - Edward Keith Walker, Jr. - 7th Co.

 

Edward Keith Walker, Jr.

January 23, 1933 ~ December 11, 2021 (age 88)

Tribute & Services

Tribute Wall

Tribute

 

REAR ADMIRAL EDWARD K. WALKER, JR.

SUPPLY CORPS, U.S. NAVY, RETIRED

Rear Admiral Walker was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1933. As the son of a Naval Officer, he grew up in a variety of locales worldwide. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1954 and was commissioned an ensign in the Supply Corps. Sea duty tours in the battleship USS NEW JERSEY, BB-62, and the destroyer USS WREN, DD-68, followed. From 1957 until 1964, he served at naval stations in Norfolk , Virginia, Rodman in the former Panama Canal Zone, and at the Naval Supply Depot in Newport, Rhode Island. In the next tour, he was on the commissioning staff of the second Polaris submarine squadron, SUBRON SIXTEEN, and deployed with it to Rota Spain to establish the first U.S. strategic missile presence on the European continent, just outside the Mediterranean.

Upon leaving Spain, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College and subsequently was assigned as a Joint Strategic Operations Plans Officer in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. His next tour was aboard the submarine tender USS HOWARD W. GILMORE, AS-16, with Submarine Squadrons FOUR and TWELVE. Following this sea tour, he returned to the Pentagon where he was the Attack Submarine Programs and Budget Officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Submarine Warfare.

From April 1975 until June 1978, he served as Force Supply Officer on the Staff of the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He then served two years as Executive Officer, Navy Ships Parts Control Center, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. In June 1980, he was ordered to the west coast and assumed command of the Naval Supply Center Puget Sound in Bremerton, Washington.

He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in July 1981 and reported to Norfolk where he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics Readiness and Fleet Supply for the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. In June 1983, he assumed duties as Assistant Comptroller of the Navy for Financial Management Systems in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, and Commander, Navy Accounting and Financial Center. On 28 March 1984, he became Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command, and the 35th Chief of Supply Corps.

During his career, Admiral Walker was awarded numerous personal decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, he was a qualified submariner, and he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Financial Management from George Washington University.

Retiring from active duty in September 1988, Admiral Walker became the Vice President for Administration and Director of Corporate Strategy for Resource Consultants, Inc. (RCI), a worldwide government services contractor. He retired from this position in September 2000.

Admiral Walker remained active and continued to serve in a wide variety of endeavors including:  Chairman, Vinson Hall Corporation; Member and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation; Member of the Board of Visitors of Elon University; Trustee, U.S. Naval Academy Foundation; and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Herley Industries of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Submarine League, the Military Officers Association, the Navy League, and the Surface Warfare Association.

He is survived by his sister Gail Reuning, his two daughters Wendy Walker and Lynn Walker Streett (husband Bryant), and by his two grandchildren Carolann Streett (husband Jon Cunningham), and David Streett (wife Gretchen Apgar). He lost his beloved wife, Carol Ann, in 2002.

In light of the recent severe uptick in COVID infections, please note the new dates for services and visitation (as of December 21st):  Services will be held at the Naval Academy Chapel on Tuesday, May 3rd at 10:30 AM.  Visitation will be held Monday, May 2nd at Everly Wheatley from 6 – 8:30 PM.  Because of the nature of the pandemic, please check back here as the dates draw closer to make certain no further changes have become necessary.   Please keep in mind, however, that even the new dates could slip further depending on the pandemic. So, please check here before making travel plans. Thank you for understanding.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the charitable endeavors listed below.

 

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Services

VISITATION

Monday
May 2, 2022
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Everly Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22302

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FUNERAL SERVICE

Tuesday
May 3, 2022
10:30 AM
United States Naval Academy Chapel
121 Blake Rd
Annapolis, MD 21401

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INTERMENT TO FOLLOW

Tuesday
May 3, 2022
United States Naval Academy Cemetery

Annapolis, MD

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Please note

The family requests that you wear a mask, if you plan to attend the visitation at the funeral home. According to DoD requirements, masks must be worn inside the Naval Academy Chapel and Officer's Club (in addition, the Club requires either proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test). **When entering the Naval Academy, enter through GATE 8 (Baltimore Blvd to Bowyer Rd).

Death of Janice Juergens

I received the following from John Juergens:

Janice Juergens died  16 January 2022. I am very grateful for 66 wonderful years with her.

More Snow at Westminster

 

Death of a Classmate - Norm Deam - 12th Co.

 

Hello friends of Norm Deam,

We are writing this note because we know you all meant a lot to our father. Norm passed away peacefully on January 8th at his home in San Luis Obispo, CA surrounded by his family. What an amazing life he had! We will have a celebration of his life later this winter in San Luis Obispo, CA, and another in Saugatuck, MI for both Connie and Norm this summer. We will send dates and details at a later time.

The attached photo was taken January 6, 2022

Sincerely,

Eric and Chris Deam

Our Poet's January Poem- THE SUN STILL SHINES -

                                THE SUN STILL SHINES

 

                        Though we on earth may curse the mist,

                        Though sun-obscuring clouds persist,

                        Our star shines brightly, as before,

                        And tides, unhindered, lap the shore.

 

                        Behind the fogs that dim our sight,

                        The seasons follow, day and night

                        Continue in their endless round,

                        And reasons to rejoice abound.

 

                        Why then should we, as reasoned souls,

                        Not follow our predestined roles,

                        Wait for a faint and flickering ray

                        To give us hope of dawning day?

 

                        If knaves betray, and fools despair,

                        Look up--beyond that gray and thickened air

                        Exists such brilliant atmosphere

                        As to extinguish nameless fear.

 

                      1-7-22             

                       

Wintertime at Westminster

Time to get ready for New Year's Eve!

The U.S. Navy’s Range Has Diminished Dangerously

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has called China his service’s “most significant” challenge, and he’s dead right. Recent satellite images suggest China has been building a model of an American aircraft carrier in the desert to use as target practice. It’s clear the rising power intends to hit the U.S. Navy’s most visible and valuable ships at sea. Yet the American carrier fleet isn’t set up to strike Chinese targets ashore. Instead of addressing this major vulnerability, the Navy is throwing time, money and energy into a new jet-fighter program. Not much is known about the “next generation air dominance,” or NGAD, aircraft. Official statements report that it will be a “family of systems,” perhaps a manned aircraft working with unmanned companions, and that it will feature new stealth technologies. Rumors suggest that it will be somewhat comparable to the F-14 Tomcat, made famous by the 1986 movie “Top Gun,” whose primary job was defending the carrier and other ships. Yet what the carrier air wing urgently needs to compete with China is the ability to project power ashore from a great distance. In 1996 the range of the carrier’s air wing was about 800 nautical miles. By 2006 that figure had dropped to 500 miles. Meanwhile, China has developed antiship missiles like the Dong Feng-21, the “carrier killer,” with a range of 1,000 miles. The reason for the Navy’s “retreat from range,” as I described the situation in a 2015 paper: The Navy retired the A-6 Intruder aircraft in 1997. The Intruder could cover 800 miles fully loaded with bombs and more than 1,200 miles carrying a mix of bombs and external fuel tanks. The planned replacement, the A-12 Avenger, a stealthy flying wing design, would have been ready to carry 6,000 pounds of bombs nearly 1,000 miles. But Defense Secretary Dick Cheney canceled the program in 1991 because of delays and cost overruns. At the time, the American military had no peer competitor. The Navy consolidated its offensive capability in the F/A-18 Hornet and later the Super Hornet variant, with a combat radius of about 500 nautical miles. The Navy did well with the F/A-18s over the past generation, operating over places like Iraq and Yugoslavia, which posed no threat to the fighter’s home carriers, which could thus sail close to land. But China and Russia have fielded anti-access/area-denial weapons, and that is likely to push carriers 1,000 miles offshore, well beyond the reach of F/A-18s. The F-35B and C variants, now halfway through their delivery schedule, can reach targets only roughly 400 and 625 miles, respectively, from the carrier. Unmanned tankers that can fly off the carrier, like the Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray program now in development, could mitigate the problem. But those drones don’t exist in large enough numbers and carry less fuel than their manned predecessors did. Air Force tankers have enough fuel, but they are based on land and thus too vulnerable to Chinese long-range weapons to be of use. This problem is especially urgent given the Navy’s plans to continue building aircraft carriers—the $13 billion, 100,000-ton Ford-class supercarrier—even as it lacks the ability to strike deep in enemy territory. The Navy missed an opportunity to resolve this issue. Fifteen years ago, the Navy and industry designed and built two stealthy unmanned aircraft, known as the X-47B, with a flying radius of 1,050 miles. The aircraft flew from, and recovered aboard, Navy supercarriers in 2013 and 2014. The aircraft even refueled from an airborne tanker without difficulty. That prototype could have easily been scaled up to carry 4,000 pounds of ordnance to targets 1,500 miles away, in repeated cycles, without concern for pilot proficiency or fatigue. Yet the program was terminated at the direction of the Navy’s uniformed leadership in 2015. In 2015 Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said that the F-35 would be the Navy’s last manned aircraft, citing the evolving strategic environment. Yet naval aviation waited out its civilian leadership and appears intent on not only keeping human pilots in the seat, but continuing to build fighters amid an obvious strategic need for attack aircraft. Unless long-range, penetrating strike aircraft, manned or unmanned, are put into air wings soon, carriers will be unable to make a meaningful contribution to deterring and, if necessary, winning a conventional conflict with China over Taiwan or other flash points. To avoid that unfortunate outcome, civilian leaders, including lawmakers and the Navy secretary, will need to step in to get naval aviation back on target.

State Tax Roundup: New Year Will Mean Big Tax Breaks for Thousands of Retirees

 Is your state still fully taxing retirement pay? MOAA National serves in an advisory capacity for state-specific issues such as income tax exemption. Please contact your local MOAA council as state legislation must originate at the state level.

 

Military retirees across North Carolina are celebrating new legislation that will exempt 100% of their retirement pay from income tax, effective for the 2021 tax year.

 

It’s a culmination of decades of advocacy by state veteran service organizations, including many MOAA members and the North Carolina Veterans Council, and residents hope it will mean an influx of new residents.

 

[UPDATED: MOAA's Military State Report Card and Tax Guide]

 

“I am calling it ‘The Come Back Home Campaign’ because so many people retired and did not stay in North Carolina,” said Col. Jeri Graham, USA (Ret), a North Carolina resident and member of MOAA’s board of directors. “They wanted to go live in a state that did not tax their military retirement.”

 

The legislation, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper on Nov. 18 as part of the state’s 2021 Appropriations Act, exempts income tax on military retirement pay for members of the armed forces who served at least 20 years or who medically retired. The law also exempts Survivor Benefit Plan pay for a beneficiary of a retiree.

 

The law applies to Coast Guard members, but does not apply to the commissioned corps of the U.S. Public Health Service or NOAA.

 

State Rep. John Szoka, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and MOAA life member, said he has fought for this legislation all five of his terms. It's "a very simple way to express gratitude from a grateful state," he said.

 

"North Carolina has prided itself as being the most veteran- and military-friendly state in the country. And I’ve always said, until we didn’t tax military retirement pay, that wasn’t entirely true." 

 

Indiana

Retirees in Indiana continue to see incremental tax breaks in retiree pay, but it’s building up to full exemption with the 2022 tax year.

 

Indiana agreed to a four-year transition to exempting all retiree pay, each year increasing the break by 25%. The 2021 tax year will see a 75% break in income tax, and the 2022 tax year will see the full benefit realized for all branches of the armed forces, including the Coast Guard.

 

“This has been a goal of ours for many, many years,” said Col. Andrew Gothreau, USA (Ret), president of MOAA’s Indiana Council of Chapters. “When we file taxes for 2022, it will be a 100 percent exemption.”

 

Virginia

Virginia’s governor-elect is calling for a bigger tax break for military retirees in the state. During the campaign, Glenn Youngkin promised a range of tax cuts, including a partial exemption for military retiree income. According to a Lynchburg, Va.-based ABC affiliate, Youngkin’s Day 1 plan calls for exempting up to $40,000 of military retiree pay from income tax.

 

Youngkin takes the oath of office Jan. 15.

 

In other Virginia tax news, MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters continues work to expand property tax exemption to more surviving spouses. Current law exempts surviving spouses whose loved one was killed by enemy while on active duty. The hope is to expand this exemption to spouses whose loved ones are killed in an accident or due to a medical condition while on active duty.

 

“Surviving spouses are a unique group that are not necessarily positioned to have a good income … and therefore helping this group is significant,” said Col. Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), who will take over as vice president of legislative affairs for MOAA’s Virginia Council in January.

 

The survivors’ property tax exemption is a priority of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, a nonpartisan advisory board that reports to the state’s governor, said Zimmerman, who represents MOAA on this council.

 

Nebraska

For more than 20 years, MOAA members and other veteran advocates in Nebraska lobbied for income tax exemption for military retirees. In 2022, they will finally have it in full.  

 

“We’ve lost more smart people and entrepreneurs that may have started here and built businesses,” said Col. Dan Donovan, USAF (Ret), president of MOAA’s Heartland of America Chapter. “We lost too many of them.”

 

The bill, which Gov. Pete Ricketts signed in May, follows a partial exemption signed by the governor last year.

 

“This is a great win for our state, for Nebraska’s job creators, and for military families looking to put down roots in Nebraska,” Ricketts said in May.

 

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