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<p><em>Michael Samuel Meuleners </em>was born in Minneapolis, MN on April 21, 1947. He grew up nurtured by hard-working, disciplined parents who instilled in him their love of country. His first significant job was as a batboy for the Minnesota Twins, an experience rubbing shoulders with legends like Harmon Killebrew that sparked his imagination. At Richfield High School Mike lettered in golf and participated in the dramatics club and Hi-Y. He joined the Minnesota Academy of Science and became a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation in 1965 he attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN for a year. While there he competed for an appointment to West Point from his local congressman.</p>
<p>Mike entered the Academy in July 1966. Mike thrived in German, mathematics, and behavioral science, seldom having to burn the midnight oil to excel. His passion for golf carried him through four years of collegial competition, and he earned his Major “A” in varsity golf. Mike made many friends and earned the nickname “Mule” for his steady, tireless drive. His success academically enabled him to choose the Engineer branch. He completed Airborne and Ranger schools and the Engineer Officer Basic Course and began his successful and distinguished 30-year career, culminating in his retirement as a colonel.</p>
<p>Mike’s first assignment was to the 78th Engineer Battalion in Germany. After serving on the 7th Corps staff from 1973 to 1975, Mike returned to the States for the Engineer Officer Advanced Course at Fort Belvoir, VA. This proved to be a momentous assignment professionally and especially personally, as Mike met Bette Scott Spengler, the widow of Henry Spengler, West Point Class of 1968, who had died in a Cobra crash in Vietnam. Mike and Bette married in 1976, bringing her children Henry IV “Shawn” and Melissa into the fold. They moved to Fort Lewis, WA, where Mike commanded a company in the 15th Engineer Battalion, 9th Infantry Division.</p>
<p>In 1980 Mike attended graduate school at Stanford University, earning master’s degrees in operations research and industrial engineering. They then moved to West Point, where Mike joined the Department of Mathematics. Their son, Michael Scott, and daughter, Bethany, were born at West Point. Mike assisted in coaching the West Point Golf Team and participated in multiple cadet activities. He earned an MBA from Long Island University while teaching at West Point.</p>
<p>After Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, the Meuleners family moved to Germany. Mike served in the 7th Engineer Brigade in Stuttgart and commanded the 565th Engineer Battalion in Karlsruhe during this four-year tour.</p>
<p>Their next assignment was to Fort Ord, CA, where Mike assumed command of his second battalion, the 13th Engineer Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. His battalion participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama. During this assignment Mike escorted the remains of Henry Spengler, recovered 17 years after being shot down in Vietnam. Mike also won two post championships in golf during this tour.</p>
<p>Mike then attended the Army War College at Carlisle, PA, followed by two years on the Army Staff at the Pentagon. He took command of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District in Omaha, NE.</p>
<p>Next Mike commanded the New England USACE division in Boston, MA.</p>
<p>Mike’s final Army assignment took them back to Nebraska, where he served as the Missouri River Region deputy engineer. He retired in 2000 as a colonel, having made numerous moves while living in the United States and Germany as a couple. Mike received many awards and decorations, including two awards of the prestigious Legion of Merit.</p>
<p>Mike then served more than 15 years as an engineer consultant for ECC, a top construction and environmental company.</p>
<p>Retiring again, Mike and Bette divided their time between Scottsdale, AZ and Haymarket, VA. Mike and Bette stayed very active and in contact with friends from both the Class of 1968 and Mike’s Class of 1970.</p>
<p>Continuing his passion for golf, Mike proudly played more than 300 rounds in 2019. He also played enthusiastically in many Class of 1970 tournaments.</p>
<p>A close friend, fellow battalion commander, and self-described battle buddy wrote: “Mike loved and adored his family with absolute commitment and a generous and loving heart. His joy and adoration for Shawn, Lissa, Scott, and Bethany reflected the certain pride of a father who was enriched by their experiences and shared moments of life’s journey. Mike would always have a story to illustrate this part of his life and never failed to add that each of these amazing kids were vastly different in their approach to life and yet stayed intrinsically bound by the nurturing and embracing love of the Meuleners family.”</p>
<p>His battle buddy went on to say, “Mike’s one enduring and most important love was for Bette. There is no question that Mike’s life was transformed by this amazing, gifted, and cherished Lady. Fate brought them together at Fort Belvoir and God’s grace and infinite wisdom guided their love for over 48 years of singularly impressive accomplishments.”</p>
<p>Mike will be remembered for his ready smile, friendly sense of humor, and genuine care for others. His life was full, his friends were many, and his love for family was true. Mike’s mark on the Corps of Engineers, the cadets he taught, the soldiers he led, the friends he cherished and the family he loved cannot be measured in mere words. </p>
<p><em>— Family, Friends, and Classmates. Terry Johnson, ’70 Classmate</em></p>
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