Thomas Charles Henkel - obit
Thomas Charles Henkel
HENKEL THOMAS CHARLES ALBERT Thomas Charles Albert Henkel has died on Wednesday, May 18. He was 84. In 1975, Tom retired from Western Electric (AT&T) after 22 years of service as a quality assurance inspector. In his last four years, he was assigned to worldwide telecommunications where oceanic cables were laid from Calais, France and Yokohama, Japan by cable ships and submarines from those points to North America. In retirement, he owned and operated a coin laundry for five years. He was born at home in Mason City, Iowa on March 11, 1921 to George John Christian Henkel and Theresa Lucille Kuzdas and grew up in Milwaukee in the "roaring twenties" a period of expansion and boom. Tom was the youngest sibling of three; the oldest, the late Theresa Catherine Henkel McNall of Janesville, Wis. and the middle, the late Walter Arthur Henkel of Clearlake. In 1939, Tom graduated from high school, when his father announced that he was putting all three children through college. Toms' mother, Tess rented an apt in Madison for the kids and she while Toms' father stayed in Milwaukee to work to pay for the kid's college. In 1943, Tom received Sophomore Honors in Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering, U. of Wis. Tom was a member of the B.S.A. #137, the Honorary Math Society, wrestling and football teams. In Dec. 1943, aviation the rage of the WWII era, Tom enlisted in the Army Air Corps, now known as the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Lubbock Army Air Field in Texas as an aviation cadet and appointed as a Second Lieutenant and rated as a pilot. Tom piloted the C46 and C47 also known as DC3s that were used for cargo and support. Tom flew night missions dropping paratroopers over Southern France and supplies to the partisans who lit fires so the airmen could see where to make the drops in the canyons of Yugoslavia. Tom was decorated with a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with one CLC, and the European, Africa and Middle East Medal (EAME) Theatre Ribbon with five bronze stars. In Nov. 1945, Tom was mustered out achieving a rank of First Lieutenant. Returning to Wisconsin, Toms' father asked "where those fascists really doing all those things" and, Tom replied "oh yes, they were." He was active in the Army Air Corps from 1945 through 1953 as an Air Provost Marshall Rep in New York. In the post war climate, Tom continued his education at the U. of Wisconsin, College of Commerce. Tom relocated to Los Angeles and completed his education at the U. of So. Calif., University Park. Graduating in the Class of 1947, Tom earned a B.A. in Business Admin and minored in Air Transportation. He was a member of the ALPHA ETA RHO, a prof. organization. Tom was a long time member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), B.P.O. Elks, American Legion, National Rifle Association, Association of San Diego County Bridge Units - Coronado/Chula Vista Unit, Chula Vista Sr. Citizens Center, and the Informed Prostate Cancer Support Group, Inc. As an avid pilot he logged in hundreds of hours in smaller planes as well as many sailing treks. Tom achieved the ACBL Life Masters while competing in bridge tournaments across the country - he won a few knockouts. He also worked on committees and headed committees in many of the groups he was active in. The late Ann O'Neal Hawkins Goudy of Olney, Illinois, his wife of 9 years, died in 1986. Betty Birmingham, his life companion of 18 years, and family reside in Bonita. Tom acted as a grandfather for Bettys' daughters, Maurya Fernandez and Peggy Penticos' children: Catrina, Christina, Charity, Nate, Hannah and Alicia. All the visits to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, theatre and musical events will be missed. Tom is survived by his daughters and son-in-law Jon and Rosemary Robbins of Marina del Rey, Adele Henkel of Kailua-kona, HI, son and daughter-in-laws John and Janet Goudy of Loda, Ill., nephew and sister-in-law Robert and Vlasta Benson of San Diego, sister-in-law Virginia Nell Boyd Henkel of Clearlake, long time neighbor and friend Hollis (deceased) and Gertrude Yarberry, wife of 22 years Ruth Benson Henkel Dickey of Paso Robles, many nephews, nieces, their children, and their children. Tom, was a champion of "The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America" and the American way of life. That being said, he also believed, aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect. Tom will be remembered for his efforts in teamwork, fair play, and enjoyment of life and a sense of humor with whomever he touched. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Informed Prostrate Cancer Support Group, Inc., a non-profit organization. Their mission is to help men find the right answers to cancer treatment, but only after they learn their options. Contact: Lyle LaRosh, President 619 233-7666 or [email protected]. At Tom's request, his body has been donated for medical research through Life Legacy and his remains were cremated at Cremation Services, Inc. of Vista. At a later date, his ashes will be scattered at sea. A memorial Saturday, July 23, at 2 p.m. in Chula Vista. Interested persons please contact Rosemary Robbins at 310 301-2304 or [email protected]. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 7/10/2005.