GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN He and Marge made their final retirement move to Quail Creek, Green Valley, Arizona, in 2002. He donated many hours to the Green Valley Food Bank, the Whipple Astronomical Society, the performing art center, and the gourmet food club, to name just a few. John Hockemeier lived his life with honor. He loved his family and gave back to the community. He taught his children to embrace all of the positives in life, to respect all people and to live honestly. He was and still is a hero to his family. (Kirsten Hockemeier, John’s daughter)
Gregory J. Miheve, ’64 Gregory John Miheve, 74, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Aug. 9, 2916, with his family by his side at Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, Fla. Gregory was born March 5, 1942, in Bremerton, Wash., to John and Marion “June” (Saxwold) Miheve. He attended Wakefield High School, where he exceled in academics, as well as athletics. Greg received four letters each in football, basketball, baseball and track. After attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, Greg was given various worldwide assignments, including two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star, along with numerous other decorations. He married Ernistina Rogers and they spent 37 years together until her death in 2009. In 2015, he married Ellen Schroth. Greg was a highly regarded master fly tier, a vocation that started at age nine and became a business in later years. He also enjoyed archery and knife collecting. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; brothers Joseph Miheve (Margie) and John Miheve (LeAnn); sister-in-law Marilyn Miheve; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ernistina; and brother, Thomas Ole Miheve. Greg was highly devoted to the Latin Mass and was active in church activities at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church. Visitation was held at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Pensacola, followed by rosary and Mass. (From the website of Davis Watkins Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.)
Patrick J. Tuffey, ’64 Retired Maj. Patrick James Tuffey, age 74, died peacefully Aug. 25, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. He spent his final days surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 11, 1942, in Albany, N.Y. to the late James and Rita Tuffey. Pat was a 1964 graduate and was honored to be a member of the 13th Squadron. After graduating, he met and married his wife of 51 years, Clare Tuffey. Together they had six children: Patrick, Michael, Sean, Kevin, Katie and Bridget. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren. Pat was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who always felt his family was one of his greatest accomplishments. He spent 20 years serving in the Air Force going back and forth between commands and career fields. This allowed him many experiences, a chance to travel and see the world and the ability to contribute to the greater good. In retirement, he settled his family in Dayton, Ohio, where he spent several years consulting for various telecom companies. After retiring “officially”, he decided to pursue other interests. During the 2004 presidential primary he was interested in seeing how the campaign trail worked first hand so he volunteered with Wesley Clark’s presidential campaign. In the years following, 92 · usafa.org
he spent some time volunteering and traveling with the Red Cross. Over the course of several years, he ended up helping with a total of seven natural disasters. He found this work both interesting and rewarding. In the final year of his life, he came across this quote in a book by Gordon Livingston and shared it with his family “So, if we elect to take honest inventory of our lives as we near the end, perhaps modesty can coexist with satisfaction. It is given to few of us to leave anything behind that is memorable to others, much less permanent. Perhaps it is enough to have loved those we could, done as little harm as possible, and grown old with enough courage to give hope to (or at least amuse) the small audience who cared enough about us to pay attention.” Visitation for Patrick was held in Dayton, Ohio, where several of his classmates made the trip to offer their condolences. In addition, another classmate traveled to join his family for a Catholic Mass held in Albany, N.Y., where he was laid to rest at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y. (Pat’s loving family)
Kenneth H. Clark II, ’65 Kenneth Herald Clark II, the ‘Evil Eight’ Squadron ‘Gentle Giant,’ passed away peacefully in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 8, 2016, after valiantly battling primary progressive aphasia, a debilitating form of dementia, for three long years. His loving wife, constant companion and resolute champion, Lois, fought every step of this ordeal at Ken’s side as she had been throughout their 51 years of marriage. A memorial service in Ken’s honor was held at the Academy cemetery on Nov. 10, 2016. Ken was a true blue ‘Son of Texas’ born and bred… strong, powerful, independent, happy and a good true friend to all, with malice toward none. As a high school athletic director and football coach, his father challenged Ken early on to excel at sports. And excel he did at USAFA playing varsity football for four years and setting a shot put record that stood for many years. Ken’s dream was to become a pilot, but when his flight physical revealed color blindness, he applied his considerable energy and determination to excel toward a career in meteorology. After graduation, Ken married his college sweetheart and set off for a year at the University of Texas in Austin to learn atmospheric science. Then it was right back to Colorado Springs for a brief tour inside Cheyenne Mountain, and in 1967 on to Guam with the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron which flew throughout the Pacific Theater with multiple trips to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. This was followed by a tour at HQ SAC as a weather briefer in the command post; and then on to Edwards AFB, Calif. in 1971. While at Edwards, Ken completed his master’s degree in systems management from USC; then in 1974 moved his family with brand new daughter Joann to Miami, Fla. to work at the National Hurricane Center. From 19781981, Ken commanded the weather detachment at Blytheville AFB, Ark., before moving to HQ Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, Ill. where he was assigned to the task of developing new weather analytical equipment for WC-130 aircraft. Flying through storms to test this new equipment was where Ken earned his coveted Hurricane Hunter wings. In 1985, Ken and family returned to Offutt AFB, Neb. where Ken forecast worldwide weather at Air Force Global Weather Center (GWC). In 1987, he became GWC deputy resource manager before retiring at Offutt in April 1989 after completing nearly 24 years of service. Following retirement, Ken earned his series seven broker’s license and joined a financial planning firm in Omaha, Neb. In 1994, after refreshing his systems management education, Ken went to work for TRW/Northrup Grumman, and later Lockheed Martin, to help assure that the next generation of STRATCOM airmen would have the best possible mission software. In September 2005, Ken retired a second time. He and Lois moved into their “dream home” just north of San Antonio. It was here that Ken could practice his considerable skills as a bass fisherman, golf, travel and enjoy time with family, friends and neighbors. Our dear friend will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure to know him… he was a kind, generous and uniquely wonderful classmate. Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Lois; daughter Joann and son-in-law Aaron; three beautiful granddaughters, Caitlin, Alexandra and Virginia; his sister Jennifer and brother-in-law Mike; and multiple nieces and cousins. (Ken’s loving family and friends)