Keith A. Young, CW4, U.S. Army Ret

Keith Avery Young, age 70, of Buckhorn, died on Thursday afternoon, December 18, 2014 a recent patient of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. He was born on October 8, 1944 at Bloomsburg Hospital, second son of the late Charles A. and Laurabelle Avery Young. He was raised on a farm in Washingtonville area, which he often shared, was where he learned the basis of his diverse personality, principles, skills, traits and faith which he modeled throughout his life. He was truly a jack of every trade, master of many. He graduated from Danville Area Senior High School in 1962, and then attended Bloomsburg State College for three years until he learned the Army was recruiting helicopter pilots for the Viet Nam War. He was strongly drawn to this call, dropped out of college and enlisted in the Army flight school program in January 1966. Upon graduation as a Warrant Officer, he served his first of two tours in Viet Nam. He was wounded in combat operations at eight months into his first tour and medivaced to the States. Upon recovery he was assigned as an instrument flight instructor at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. There he accepted a direct commission in the US Army Transportation Corp. Subsequently he returned to Viet Nam for a second tour as Captain Young., serving as an aircraft maintenance platoon leader and flight platoon leader. During his diverse military career, Keith returned to college to graduate from Texas Christian University with a degree in math and physics, as well as from College of William& Mary, with a master's degree in Educational Administration. He has been awarded over 20 military medals and ribbons including: Master Aviator Badge, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 39 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Meritorious Service Medal. In 1978, CPT Young was selected for a sensitive cold war military assignment. As a contract officer assigned to the US Military Assistance command, he was responsible for the administration of the contract between the Iranian 1st Aviation Brigade and Bell Helicopter International for soldier mechanic training. In January 1979, a Shiite Muslim uprising forced the Shah of Iran out of power. Civil riots and demonstrations necessitated the evacuation of all Bell Helicopter personnel. After all employees were safely evacuated, CPT Young returned to the States. Upon leaving active duty in September 1979, CPT Young served two years in the Army Reserves in an Aeronautical Engineer position. Then in October 1981, he resigned his commission as a Reserve officer and transferred to the Virginia National guard into a Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) position, thus returning to an active flying assignment as a helicopter pilot. In 1983, the family returned to Bloomsburg where Keith joined the staff of Susquehanna Steam and Electric Station beginning in the training center teaching nuclear and math sciences, retiring from the engineering section in 2005. He transferred into the Pennsylvania National Guard, Ft. Indiantown Gap, also in 1983, where his primary duties included Unit Trainer for all aviation mission tasks, specializing in night vision goggle mission training and air crew coordination. In 1999, he was assigned as Company Aviation Safety Officer. Pennsylvania National Guard was assigned to support the Enduring Freedom Campaign in Kosovo with an Aviation Battalion Headquarters Company in 2003. He volunteered for a career fourth hazardous duty assignment. He served as the Aviation Battalion Aviation Safety Officer for a one year active duty peace keeping mission. Mr. Young was 59 years old upon completion of that tour. He also served as a Director on the Bloomsburg School Board for 12 years prior to serving an overseas tour in Kosovo. Keith was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal for his contribution to the PA Army National Guard Aviation Program. On October 8, 2004 he retired at the mandatory age of 60 after 38 years of continuous service to his country. He was a member of the Harrisburg Chapter of Quiet Birdman Society, was active with the Columbia County Veterans group with Dick Donald. Each year he enjoyed speaking to local high school students about his military career and how proud he was to have served. In November he was honored to be one of the parade marshals in the Veteran’s Day parade. In his years of retirement, he never was idle. His mind was always too busy creating projects on his farm in Buckhorn, hunting every year, fishing on Lake Champlain every June, watching and being involved with his grandkids, driving to and hiking 41 of the 50 highpoints across America with Gloria, building and carving wood, designing stain glass, and so many other activities. And he was never too busy to help anyone with anything they needed. Keith is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gloria DeSantis Young, two children, daughter, Nancy Young Nicholas, her husband, Cory Nicholas, two grandchildren, Brandon Avery Nicholas and Lynsey Brooke Nicholas, all of York, Pa., and a son, Keith Avery Young, ll, Denver, Colorado, all of whom he was extremely devoted to. Also surviving Keith are his siblings: Charles Young, Newport News, Virginia; Leslie Bryerton, Dillsburg, PA.; Carl Young, Whitesburg, Georgia; and Barbara Brown and husband, Terry, of Bloomsburg, his extended family and cousins in this area. Keith and Gloria are members of Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomsburg, where he was to become a trustee next year. A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday morning, December 22 from 10 to 12 p.m. from the Wesley United Methodist Church, 130 W. 3rd at Market Streets in Bloomsburg. Funeral services will also begin on Monday, December 22 at 12 p.m. from the Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomsburg with his pastor, Rev. Dr. Gary D. Weaver, officiating. Graveside committal services with full Military Honors will immediately follow in the Columbia Hill Cemetery, West Hemlock Township. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Young family. Memorial contributions in Keith’s name are suggested to: Buckhorn Community Volunteer Fire Co., 2014 Annual Fund Drive, 19 Firehall Rd., Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or The Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Keith A. Young, CW4, U.S. Army Ret

October 8, 1944 - December 18, 2014