Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

Paula and family, we are deeply saddened to learn of Nick's passing, I was skimming through the USAFA Check Points and read the short note posted in the 1966 class report. My fondest memory of Nick was at Randolph, Christmas time when he was the 12th Wg commander. All the 12th Colonels met at our house behind the O' club and from there, we and our wives proceeded to decorate all the light poles around the Officers' Club. They looked like candy canes when we finished. Nick was his usual quiet, unassuming self, but I could tell he was having a good time just being able to relax and enjoy the short reprieve from the pressures of being the Wing King at Randolph. Not to be outdone, Paula, your gymnastics routine on our trampoline was world class.. Nick was an outstanding leader, mentor and most of all, a close friend. We'll miss him Al and Joan Dodson

Dear Paula: I just returned from a hunting trip and was very saddened to learn of General Kehoe’s passing--General D. Bruce Smith notified me. General Smith had previously notified me of General Kehoe’s failing health. He also informed me that he was coming to San Antonio for his final Daedalian meeting. As a result, I coordinated with the Executive Director to surprise General Kehoe and have lunch with him. We had a great visit and spent about two hours together catching up on old times. Since I worked for General Kehoe three separate times during my Air Force career (two times at the Pentagon and once at 19th Air Force), I probably knew him just about as well as anyone who wore the uniform. During those three tours of duty, I found General Kehoe to be a “straight arrow” and he always “played by the rules”. In other words, mission results were important as long as you followed the proper procedures and policies. I never met a more honest and honorable man than Nick Kehoe—he never had any hidden agendas nor was he deceptive in how he did his job. He was “a man of his word” and he always did what he said he was going to do. In my opinion, that’s the kind of boss we all aspire to work for as well as emulate. Just as important, Nick Kehoe was a great role model and mentor. He was always available to his troops to discuss issues and formulate solutions. He also spent time with us providing valuable career guidance as well as “philosophies of life” which I found to be very critical to my successful career. During my time as a group commander, squadron commander, and division chief, when I was confronted with a tough decision, I would always ask myself, “What would Nick Kehoe do?” I don’t believe there’s any higher compliment or endorsement of a senior leader when a subordinate asks himself or herself that question. In summary, General Kehoe was absolutely the best the boss I had during my Air Force career—I was one of his biggest fans. He’s gonna be sorely missed but he definitely left this world and the Air Force a better place. I feel very blessed to have known him. Sincerely, EDWARD N. MCKINNEY, Colonel, USAF (Retired)

Dear Paula our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so sorry to hear about Nick’s passing. We remember fondly our time together. We are grateful for his service We are grateful for his friendship We are blessed to have known him With our deepest sympathy Tom and Sheila

I first crossed paths with General Kehoe when he was the wing commander at Randolph AFB. He set the standard for a leader who connected with everyone in his organization. A few years later, I was struggling with what to do after finishing Staff College -- he happened to be on a quick trip to Maxwell AFB one day, and carved out time to sit down with me and mentor. Thanks to him, I wound up on the best path possible. Years later, while I was serving at the Pentagon, he would regularly pop into our office just to check on me. I then got my dream jobs -- squadron ops office and commander -- back at Randolph. Without General Kehoe's guidance and encouragement, that never would have happened. Many years later, I chatted with him at the USAFA Awards Ceremony and got to thank him for his mentorship. To him, it was just the natural thing to do -- to take care of your people. I'm so grateful that our paths crossed so many years ago. May your family take comfort in knowing that so many of us are grateful that General Kehoe was in our lives.

Our dear friend, Nick, was one of my classmates at Mother of Sorrows Grammar School in Greece, NY, the class of 1957. He was a true friend to all of us and sooo smart! A lot of us pretty much kept in touch through the years, especially for our 50th Graduation Reunion celebration in 2007.. He was unable to attend, but we made sure he received all the goodies, memory book and pictures in the mail. We shared all the stories from that night, especially from our old teacher, Sister Martoni, who attended that 50th Reunion..She was in her 90\'s. And loved our class. She sure was full of memories and stories about our class that night. He would have enjoyed it. One day Nick surprised us at our home with a nice visit, since we lived not far from his brother Mike. It was so great to see him. My husband knew him from Aquinas also. He gave us one of his Medal of Honor books and signed it for us. We will treasure that always. He will be missed, and we are so proud to have been one of his friends all these years.. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family...so sorry for your loss

Our dear friend, Nick, was one of my classmates at Mother of Sorrows Grammar School in Greece, NY, the class of 1957. He was a true friend to all of us and sooo smart! A lot of us pretty much kept in touch through the years, especially for our 50th Graduation Reunion celebration in 2007.. He was unable to attend, but we made sure he received all the goodies, memory book and pictures in the mail. We shared all the stories from that night, especially from our old teacher, Sister Martoni, who attended that 50th Reunion..She was in her 90's. And loved our class. She sure was full of memories and stories about our class that night. He would have enjoyed it. One day Nick surprised us at our home with a nice visit, since we lived not far from his brother Mike. It was so great to see him. My husband knew him from Aquinas also. He gave us one of his Medal of Honor books and signed it for us. We will treasure that always. He will be missed, and we are so proud to have been one of his friends all these years.. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family...so sorry for your loss

God Bless our Aquinas Brother

To my classmate Nick, I salute you for your great career and service. I saw you a few times over the years including our first encounter at Randolph as I was going through IPIS and you were already a Below The Zone heading for the stratosphere! Our last encounter was at a function at Hill AFB when you were with Thiokol and me a Raytheon puke. We are slowly slipping away so it behooves us stragglers to maintain the memories of those who went before!

Paula and family, I'm so sorry to learn of Nick's passing. I knew him first as a special USAFA classmate. I don't think any of us doubted that Nick was destined for great things, and he certainly proved us right. I remember him as a gentle and quiet soul with a ready smile and always with a pleasant word for everyone. It was clear that he was a smart guy and would be a mover and shaker in the AF. Nick and I were at pilot training together and I don't think he was married at the time. We crossed paths professionally only a couple times later when he was stationed at TAC Hq at Langley and I was at Hq, AFSC at Andrews. Those meetings further convinced me that Nick was one of our best. As a Daedalian, of course I admired his many years of superb leadership. I was not aware of his fight with cancer, but I know he coped with it gracefully, more concerned with his family than about himself. I will miss Nick and send my heartfelt condolences. With sadness, Rusty

Nick’s passing leaves a great hole in my heart. He was an upperclassman to me at USAFA, and that merely set the terms of our career crossroads. He was a mentor and good friend over the many years since. We attended the RAF AWC in different capacities, but we enjoyed conversations there that shaped many future connections. He attended Daedalian meetings in several locations with me where we both talked, drank, and shared recollections of great times and events. He was a great pilot, fascinating raconteur, and sensitive leader. May he rest in peace assured by God’s loving embrace.

I first met Nick when he was my Operations Officer in the 512 TFS where we flew F-4Es. We stayed connected ever since and he was a dear friend and mentor to me. I can’t count how many times we crossed paths in the Air Force and I had the privilege to be in Nick and Paula’s home and they in mine. Nick was an incredible person, leader and all around great guy—so many people were privileged to serve under him in so many positions. On a personal note, I was honored when he presided over my last promotion in my career. Nick was a combat veteran in Vietnam with two Distinguished Flying Crosses and an Air Medal with 27 oak leaf clusters. His career path was unique in so many ways from being a Wing and Numbered Air Force Commander to attending the Royal Air Force Air War College, to serving as the Deputy Chairman of NATO to finishing his career in the USAF as the Inspector General. I was always amazed at his commitment to service after the USAF where he served as the President/CEO of the Medal of Honor Society and his work as the National Commander of the Daedalians and his commitment to the Air Force Historical Foundation. I am at a loss for words knowing that Nick is gone, but so honored to have known him. He will be missed by so many that he touched.