Jack Wolhaupt

Jack D. Wolhaupt, age 88, of 625 Charles Ave. Tomahawk, passed away on Tuesday September 17 , 2013 at Golden Living Center, Golden Age in Tomahawk. He was born April 4, 1925 in Antigo, WI to William and Myrtle Wolhaupt. Jack attended Peace Lutheran grade school and graduated from Antigo High School in 1943. He was a teenage entrepreneur, having a a model airplane shop to supplement the family income. As a high school student, he played clarinet and saxophone in the American Legion band and for a dance band. Jack graduated from high school 2 months early to enter the United States Army Air Corps, now know as the United States Air Force. He was a WW2 B17 bomber pilot with the 305th Bomb Group based in Chelveston, England, successfully completing 30 missions with no losses.. Jack's first mission was shortly after D-day and his last mission was during the Battle Of The Bulge. He was also a squadron leader, flight instructor and aerobatics instructor.He was a decorated veteran, having been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, Oak Leaf medal with four oak leaf clusters, and various other WW2 medals, ribbons and bars.. At the time, he was the youngest commissioned officer to be honorably discharged at age 19. After his military service, Jack attended aviation mechanic school in Lockport, IL. In 1947 he was hired by the Wisconsin Conservation Department, now the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, as their first pilot and aircraft mechanic. Jack served as their chief pilot for many years being involved in fire detection and suppression, law enforcement and environmental protection.. Jack distinguished himself in serving the state by providing thousands of hours of accident free flight time in which he gave oversight and protection to millions of acres of timberland and initiating many programs which are still in use. He retired after working 34 years full time, then worked for another 10 years part time mainly flying fire patrol during fire season. Upon retirement he received a Governor's Special Award for his exceptional service. He has over 112,000 hours of documented flight time from 1944 until his retirement. Jack married Carol Kind in 1950 at Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk. They were married nearly 59 years before Carol passed away in 2009. Jack served on the Grace Lutheran Church counsel in various positions over the years. He developed an interest in computers after retirement from full time employment and became very knowledgeable about them. Jack went on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in the fall of 2011. He was a member of Grace Luthreran Church, The American Legion and the Eighth Air Force Historical Society.He had also been a volunteer for Tomahawk Interfaith Volunteers visiting elderly gentlemen in their home or nursing homes. He enjoyed the company of his two "grandcats". . Jack is survived by his daughter and son-in law, who cared for him at home for nearly 3 years, Susan and Michael Pennings, Tomahawk, his son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Kathleen Wolhaupt, Roseville, MN, his beloved granddaughter Laura Lee Pennings, Grand Rapids, MI and his brother-in-law, Donald (Nancy) Kind, Brooklyn Park, MN. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, his parents William and Myrtle Wolhaupt, Wausau, his sister Donata (Dotty) Wolhaupt , Wausau and his son-in-law, Larry Koth of Tomahawk. As per Jacks wishes, there will be no services. Krueger Family Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Jack's family would like to thank the staff of Golden Living Center, Golden Age for caring for Jack the past 6 months, Dr. Eric Dichsen for his compassionate medical care, the pastors at Grace Lutheran Church for their many visits and Krueger Family Funeral Home for their kindness.