Posted by Mickey Rehwoldt on August 4, 2011:

Jerry was a difficult child, having been raised without a father since he was quite young. He had an older brother, who was a favorite of his mother, and that was not easy to reconcile. He was also very precocious and, as a result, he focused on things he could control, such as the construction of his model airplanes and sports and his studies in school. He loved physics and math, and his path eventually led to West Point. Upon retirement, he worked with Science Applications International Corporation and at the Pentagon. For a long time, I was the only girl cousin, and whenever our families were together, Jerry and I played together and talked. He taught me how to whistle -- a small thing, but it meant a lot to me. He was thoughtful and knew so much about practical things, and he bothered to teach me and tell me about these things. He was a wonderful resource for me, and for some reason we got along well. When we were adults and we both had families and he was living in Virginia, he showed us all around Washington, D.C. Since it was my first time there, it made a very great impression on me. Jerry did amazingly well with the challenging upbringing he had, and I have missed him greatly since his death. I am convinced West Point made a man out of him, and his Lutheran faith spoke to his conscience. He has four lovely children who, I hope, realize over the years the gifts of history, travel and learning he tried to give them. I believe he died because of cancer he contracted as a result of working at the Nevada test site. No one knows for sure, and some sued the government in a class action, but he said he accepted that responsibility knowing the possible end result. He would not sue. I'm proud of him for accepting that responsibility. Jerry, may you rest in peace knowing you did your very best for our country and for your family. Love, Mickey

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