KOTTLER JOHN D

CW2 John "Jack" D. Kottler was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 02/10/2015 at the age of 70.9 from Heart attack
Trenton, NJ
Flight Class 65-8W
Date of Birth 02/29/1944
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 155 AVN in 65-66
This information was provided by Larry L. Vieley

More detail on this person: John D. "Jack" Kottler passed away Tuesday February 10, 2015. He was 70. He was the loving and devoted husband of 48 years to Kathleen H. Weingarth Kottler. Jack was born and raised in New Jersey, a graduate of Middletown Township High School in 1962. He went on to attend Monmouth College before entering the United States Army where he graduated in class 65-8 from Rucker in August '65 as a WO1.

His first assignment out of Flight School was with A/1st Big Red One Aviation Company which changed to the 155th Aviation AML in BanMeThout, Viet Nam. He flew slicks for 2 months and guns for another 10 months.

Jack was assigned to the 3/7th Cav, 3rd Inf Div in Schweinfurt, Germany after his Vietnam tour. For a brief period, as a WO1, he became Airfield Commander, Ops Officer, and Maintenance Officer until a new Major was assigned to the pilot/officer short unit.

After returning to the United States Jack began a full career as a commercial helicopter pilot, first with Ronson Aviation and later served as chief helicopter pilot for Johnson & Johnson. After 27 years flying with Johnson& Johnson he retired from flight, however he continued his work as a consultant for the company until recently.

Jack loved all kinds of technology, pets and shooting but most importantly he loved his family and friends. He always put others before himself without a second thought and treasured time spent with those he loved. He will be remembered as a man of great fortitude, honor, and character and as a loving husband, father, and friend. He will be greatly missed but not forgotten. His former fellow pilots from Schweinfurt's 3/7th Cav remember him with great respect and fondness.

In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his son John J. "Jay" Kottler and his wife, Stacey, of Fountainville.

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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