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It is strange what one remembers of former students. Upon first meeting <em>Robert Luecke</em> I was impressed by his polite formal manner and by the extending of his hand immediately upon the introduction by his father to his future teacher. This same extended hand was always a part of his life...extending it and using it to help others throughout elementary school, high school, the USMA, and eventually in overseas duty in Vietnam.<br />
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Robert Wayne Luecke was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on 28 June 1944. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Paterson, New Jersey, and later began his elementary education in the Church-owned and operated elementary school. He entered Bethany Lutheran School, Parma, Ohio, on 1 February 1957. On the junior high level he was an active participant in sports and began to show an interest in music, especially in choral music.</p>
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Upon graduation, Robert entered Lutheran High School-West, Rocky River, Ohio, in the fall of 1958. As a high school student he was a strong competitor in football and basketball for four years. In his senior year he was also a member of the track team. Pursuing his interest in music, he served in the choir all four years of his high school training. During his high school years he also served as class president of the freshman class; vice president of the student council as a senior; reporter on the school newspaper, <em>The Longhorn Scout</em>, in his senior year; and was a member of the National Honor Society in his junior and senior years. On graduation day, 8 June 1962, Robert Wayne Luecke received his appointment to the USMA from the Honorable Representative Michael Feighn of the 20th Congressional District of Ohio.</p>
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While at the USMA Robert once again pursued his musical interest participating in the choir and serving as chief acolyte in the Protestant Chapel. After graduating in June 1966, he took additional paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and went on to complete the Ranger School in December 1966. Assigned to the 82d Airborne Division, he was transferred to Detroit, Michigan, during the riots in the summer of 1967. Transferred again, he attended the Special Warfare School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and completed his training in October 1967. Assigned to the Special Language School at Fort Bliss, Texas, he completed this training in December 1967.</p>
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After a short leave he left Parma, Ohio, on 26 January 1968, arriving in Vietnam on 30 January 1968. On 2 March 1968, while on patrol, Lieutenant Robert W. Luecke was killed by an enemy planned and executed ambush. Throughout his life, Robert Luecke was a shining example of a dedicated Christian. Funeral services were held at Bethany Lutheran Church, Parma, Ohio, on 24 March 1968. Eight former elementary and high school teachers served as pallbearers. An additional service and interment were held on 26 March at the Protestant Chapel and the West Point Cemetery. Honor Guard and pallbearers were from the Company of Cadet Richard W. Luecke—Class of 1969.</p>
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In memory of Lieutenant Robert Wayne Luecke numerous memorials to the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church of Parma, Ohio, and the Lutheran High School Association of Cleveland, Ohio, were established. This latter memorial will be used to give grants to teachers on sabbatical leave scholarships so that they may be given additional training in bringing the lambs of Christ closer to their Saviour. Once again the hand to others is being extended.</p>
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Lieutenant Robert Wayne Luecke is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Luecke, Parma, Ohio; two brothers, Cadet Richard W. Luecke, USMA Class of 1969, and Randall W. Luecke, eighth grade student of Bethany Lutheran School, Parma, Ohio; and a host of classmates and friends in many parts of the world.<br />
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