Kurt M. Salscheider, 74, of Bluffton passed away at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, after an extended illness.
He was born on January 16, 1948, in Gatesville, Texas, to Bill and Barbara Salscheider. He grew up in Barron, Wis. He was a 1966 graduate of Barron High School where he excelled on the varsity golf team. He attended Wisconsin State University at Eau Claire for two years where he was enrolled in the Pre-Engineering Program. He was then accepted to the United States Naval Academy in 1968 where he attained honor roll recognition.
During his senior year, he was the 2nd Battalion Operations Officer for the last part of the year. Upon graduation, he entered the Naval Nuclear Submarine Program. He specialized in nuclear weapons. He was then assigned to the USS Benjamin Franklin in New London, Conn., as Assistant Weapons Officer where he was responsible for the missile launcher, torpedo room and sonar divisions. After two patrols, he was awarded his Gold Dolphins representing the completion of his submarine qualification requirements. After four patrols, he was then assigned to the Naval Submarine School in New London, Conn., where he was the Nuclear Missile Department Training Officer. Upon completion of that two year assignment, he retired from active service and moved to Bluffton as a Production Supervisor for Corning Glass Works. He worked in the Engineering Departments of other local area firms. He retired from Almco Steel Products as the engineering manager in 2014.
During his time in the Naval Reserve, his most rewarding commanding officer jobs were Commander of Submarine Squadron 2 and Commander of Submarine Squadron 10, both being in New London, Conn. He retired from the Naval Reserves in 1994 as a Commander.
He was a member of Hope Missionary Church for twenty years where he was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Culture Impact Team and administrator of the Pastor-Staff Prayer Partner Ministry.
He is survived by his lovely wife, Ann Flaningam Salscheider of Bluffton; two children, Paul (Christina) Salscheider of Northville, Mich., and Abby (Andy) Ault of Bluffton; two step-children, Shannon (Matthew) Wanner of Carmel and Hilary (Deans) Buchanan of Perth, Scotland; five grandchildren, Ellie and Bethany Salscheider, and Konley, Kamryn and Kreigh Ault; seven step-grandchildren, Joshua, Samuel, Madeline and Noah Wanner and Freya, Dottie and Florence Buchanan; a brother, Karl Salscheider of Cass Lake, Minn.; and his mother, Barbara Salscheider of Bemidji, Minn.
Funeral services will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022 at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton with Pastor Gary Aupperle officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton, with full military honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #111 of Bluffton Honor Guard.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton and for one hour prior to the service on Sunday.
Memorials may be made in Kurt’s memory to Helping Hands in Bluffton or Samaritan’s Purse, through the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.