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<p><em>Jerald Christian “Chris” Bangerter Jr.</em> was welcomed into the world on April 30, 1966 in Albuquerque, NM by Colonel Jerry (USA, Retired) and Sandra Bangerter and by two sisters, Cori and Leslie. As Army brats, Chris and his sisters spent their childhoods at bases across the continental United States and overseas in the Philippines, Hawaii, and Germany. These experiences contributed to Chris’ love for travel and exploration and fostered his adventurous soul. He graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, IA, where he was active in student government, played football, and earned his Eagle Scout Badge. </p>
<p>Chris attended West Point following high school and was assigned to Company B-1. With a friendly demeanor and generous outlook, Chris quickly formed friendships that would last a lifetime. Chris did need some time to adjust his laid-back, island style to the restrictive discipline of USMA and First Regiment, but he committed to success, persevered, and eventually thrived. He and his group of closest friends at the Academy launched out on as many adventures as limited passes would allow, from afternoons in Highland Falls to weekends in New York City. Chris’ imagination led the friends to set their sights far beyond ordinary destinations for spring break; they followed Chris to the beaches of the Bahamas, the ski slopes of Austria, and the volcanoes of Hawaii. Chris’ expansive good nature could not be confined to only one group of friends; his heart, loyalty, and easy laughter endeared him to everyone who knew him at the Academy. </p>
<p>After West Point graduation, Chris followed his dream of flying and reported to the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, AL to fly the UH-60 Black Hawk. At Rucker, Chris lived off-post with fellow “B” surnamed officers from the Class of ’88 at “the Lazy B Ranch,” which became home base to their adventures. It was during flight school that Chris met the beautiful and spirited Becky Brackin. Chris and Becky quickly fell in love, and after a year’s romance they were married in her hometown of Cleveland, MS. </p>
<p>Following flight school, their first duty assignment was at Fort Hood, TX. When that tour was complete, the Bangerters got the assignment to Germany that Chris longed for and were stationed at Katterbach Kaserne in Ansbach. Chris served as the “Strike Eagle” support platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment of the 1st Armored Division. Unfortunately, just as Chris and Becky had begun to enjoy Europe, war broke out in the Middle East.</p>
<p>Chris deployed to Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm under the operational control of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. He served with distinction during the conflict, working tirelessly as the class 3/5 platoon leader to meet the fuel and ammunition requirements of the battalion’s Apache attack helicopters while flying Black Hawks for the 2nd ACR. During the invasion of Iraq, Chris and his helicopter crew secured the surrender of a battalion-sized enemy element after a brief but intense exchange of fire. For his valor during the deployment he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and two Army Air Medals, all of which he accepted with characteristic humility. </p>
<p>Chris resigned from the Army shortly after returning from Desert Storm, enrolled in law school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and graduated with his Juris Doctor. Chris and Becky then moved to Hawaii, where he worked with Wagner, Watson, and Pettit and enjoyed their time close to Chris’ retired parents. However, they missed Nashville and returned for Chris to work with the Boult Cummings firm. In Nashville, the Bangerter family grew with the addition of oldest son Lucas, daughter Eva, and youngest son Jack. Chris delighted in his children and was an avid supporter of their activities. He glowed with love and pride whenever he related their accomplishments. In time, Chris would go on to work at HCA Healthcare and at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as associate general counsel. The Bangerters embraced all the Nashville community had to offer, in business, sports, school, social, and spiritual life. They were very active in, and found great support from, the community of faith at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nashville.</p>
<p>Many of Chris’s closest friends from West Point had exited the Army and similarly began settling down across the country. In 1995 the friends began a tradition of holding annual reunions. For 18 straight years, Chris and his Academy brothers scheduled family vacation getaways together to enjoy camaraderie, tell old stories, and make new ones. All the kids in the group grew up getting to know their many adopted “uncles” and just how special the West Point bond can be.</p>
<p>Chris finally found a work-home at LifePoint Hospitals, where he would serve for nine years. He quickly rose to the executive ranks and last held the title of chief compliance officer, a role for which Chris was well suited given his exceptional professional and ethical standards. </p>
<p>Shockingly, in this apparent prime of his life, with a loving family and successful career, Chris was diagnosed with cancer. Although he fought the disease courageously for years and his optimism never faltered, he passed away peacefully on May 3, 2013, surrounded by his family. He is interred at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens in Nashville. Chris lived his too-short life to the fullest, with great faith and love for his family, friends, and church. Chris was a cherished husband, father, son, and friend who inspired, and is sorely missed by, all those who were blessed to know him. </p>
<p><em>— John Winegarden, Lance Hansen, Kent Kildow, and Rob Craig (friends and classmates of Chris)</em></p>
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