Colonel Robert John Kuehn, Sr.

(U.S. Air Force, Retired)

A member of the Greatest Generation, Colonel Robert John Kuehn, Sr. (USAF Ret) passed away May 4, 2012. Bob was born May 17, 1915 in Menominee MI and lived in Fond du Lac WI. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and retired from the USAF as a full Colonel in 1975. His career included assignments around the globe in the intelligence, communications and electronics fields. Highlights of Col. Kuehn’s career included intelligence officer duty in Europe during WW II where he interrogated enemy pilots; Electronic Systems Division in MA where he helped develop the first defense computer system; and the Military Assistance Command in Thailand where he supported the Vietnam War. His last assignment was as ESD Detachment Commander in Germany. Colonel Kuehn’s decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Air Force Commendation Medal, WW II Victory Medal, and other campaign medals. Bob met and married Mary Salatino, an Army nurse, at Paine Field, WA, in 1943. They both did war duty in England. In 1975 they retired to Bellevue, where Bob was active in the Sons of Italy Lodge and 55th Fighter Group Association. Bob was preceded in death by Mary, parents and siblings. He is survived by his children: Col. Robert J. Kuehn, Jr. (USAF Ret) and Elizabeth; Dr. Thomas J. Kuehn and Sydney; Mary Louise Kuehn; Kathryn Kuehn O’Leary and David; Stephen J. Kuehn and Jean; and Elizabeth C. Kuehn; and ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA. The funeral will be at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, Bellevue, May 23, 2012 at 11:00 am and interment with full military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.WoundedWarriorProject.org, or the charity of your choice. Please go to the Sunset Hills website, www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com, to leave a remembrance.