HAROLD JACK KRAETTLI July 21, 1916 - October 9, 2016 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (HJK Miltary Picture Young) (HJK Picture Old) OUR FATHER, JACK KRAETTLI Most people would expect to hear a great man’s life story from a biographer, or some other objective source. No professional writer, however, could give a true account of our father without having known him as we have. In our eyes he was a great and admirable man. Jack accomplished and saw more than many people who are considered famous. He was not famous, nor did he want to be, because it was not in his nature to seek celebrity. For this reason we learned as much about our father from other people as from him. In short, he was brilliant, an engineer, a religious man, a devoted husband, father and son, in short he was a truly good man. We could fill volumes about his life, though he would likely, mostly, have disputed our descriptions of him. His kindness is spoken of among his friends and his leadership and love have been an inspiration to our family. We will miss you “Pop” and Dad. Jack Kraettli, 100, passed away in the early morning hours of October 9, 2016 at his home, The Bridge, in Colorado Springs. Jack was a long time resident of Colorado. Born in 1916 in Clay Center Kansas to Albert and Ina Kraettli. The family moved to Atchison, KS where Jack delivered newspapers for the Kansas City Star while attending school, working on his parents’ dairy and egg farm as well as other agricultural pursuits and work in and along the Missouri River during the last years of the Great Depression. After graduating from Atchison High School, he married Betty Cox of Effingham, KS on October 12, 1940 in Norman, OK. Jack attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, graduating with a Civil Engineering degree. He was commissioned in the United States Army and associated with the last Mounted Calvary Unit in Oklahoma at both the University of Oklahoma and at Fort Sill Army Base, Oklahoma. He pursued civil engineering, surveyed lands and designed numerous highways throughout Oklahoma and completed the first concrete bridge erected in Oklahoma. He received additional military training at Fort Sill at the Army Field Artillery School. He was called to active duty on December 19, 1941 the day that Hitler was declared Supreme Commander of German Forces. He was stationed at Fort Ord Army Base, Monterey, CA and deployed to Command Headquarters for the U. S. Army, Hawaii as an Officer in the 25th Infantry Division known as Tropic Lightning Division at Schofield Barracks at Pearl Harbor, HI. Jack additionally experienced military assignments in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After being transferred to Denver, CO, Jack was discharged in 1947 having attained the rank of Major. Jack moved to Basin, WY in 1950 to work and manage the New Holland Machine Company and Ford Tractor and Implement Co. offices there before returning to Denver. Jack became the City Engineer for Aurora, CO. He laid out the original control tower and runways for Stapleton Airport of Denver. He moved to Colorado Springs with his family in 1952 and resided at the White House Ranch, currently known as Rock Ledge Ranch, easterly of the Garden of the Gods where he designed and surveyed the area known as Pleasant Valley. Jack founded his own company: H.J. Kraettli and Sons and provided civil engineering design and land surveying services for some of the largest developers in the Colorado Springs area. He was the resident engineer for the United States Air Force Academy and the NORAD Center in Cheyenne Mountain as well as projects at Fort Carson Army Base and Lowery Air Force Base in Denver. He surveyed, engineered and oversaw the replacement of the tarmac at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs and assisted with the conversions at Ent Air Force Base to the United States Olympic Center. He taught Continuing Professional Education classes in engineering at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and was Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in Colorado and received many accolades for his contributions and accomplishment in the field of engineering and surveying. Jack and the love of his life Betty were instrumental in the grass roots establishment of the Eisenhower Osteopathic Hospital and served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation for 15 years. Jack remained active in the Colorado Springs Lions Club and contributed and supported all civic groups. He was a member of the Colorado 33rd Degree Consistory in Denver and a member of the Pikes Peak Masonic Blue Lodge in Colorado Springs. He served as a sponsor and mentor to the Order of DeMolay where he helped develop many of today’s leaders. He was both a Cub Master and Troop leader to the Boy Scouts as well as a summer camp counselor. He served as President of the Residents Council at both the Inn at Garden Plaza and The Bridge. Jack was pre-deceased by his father Albert and mother Ina Kraettli, his brother Marvin and his sisters, Charlotte. His sister Margaret is still living. Jack was pre-deceased by his wife of 64 years, Betty in 2005. He is survived by his three sons; Jack II and his wife Etta and granddaughter Michelle of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jerry and his wife Terra of Colorado Springs and David and his wife Jessie of Colorado Springs. Viewing will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home on October 14, 2016; 5 -7 p.m Funeral Services will be at Evergreen Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. and burial will be at Memorial Gardens following the funeral