Gilbert Ronald "Bertie" Gluck 1936 - 2011

GLUCK, LUDEKING, PEREZ, BERNATZ, LANE, MANNETTE

Posted By: Errin Wilker (email)
Date: 6/22/2011 at 20:20:19

Gilbert "Bertie" Ronald Gluck of Waukon, formerly of California, died Sunday, May 15, 2011. He passed quietly at home, among family, after a long illness. "GK" was a unique, old-fashioned kind of guy and he was loved by all. The family has elected not to have funeral services at this time, at Gilbert's request.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Mattie Ludeking; his parents, Edward and Marie Gluck; his beloved daughter, Cindy Sue Perez; his beloved son, Randy Durwin Bernatz; and his beloved wife of 52 years, Fay Barbara Lane.

Gilbert was born and raised in Waukon. He was well known for his athletic ability in football, track and basketball at Waukon High School. He was part of the legendary undefeated football team in 1954.

Gilbert married Fay Barbara Lane in 1957, and that was the beginning of a lifelong love affair that lasted 52 wonderful years. They were married in West Union in a civil ceremony and went on to celebrate their Golden "50th" wedding anniversary.
Gilbert joined the US Navy in 1954 and was assigned to the navy ship USS Hamner. The Hamner commenced her eighth voyage to the Western Pacific, and was assigned the home port of San Diego, CA. The navy ship cruised from Point Loma to her first stop at Pearl Harbor on the picturesque island of Oahu.

As the navy ship neared the equator, a traditional ritual took place. If you were on your maiden voyage. You were considered a "polliwog" until you were converted to a "shellback". This entailed crossing over the equator and going through some trying rituals, such as being submerged in a pool of fresh-running sea water seasoned with some three-week old garbage, all in good fun and humor. Once the "polliwogs" went though the rituals and crossed over the equator, they were well-deserved "shellbacks". Gilbert, on his maiden voyage aboard the Hamner, sailed to Marshall Islands; Brisbane, Australia; Soloman Islands; Guam; Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan; Kobe, Okinawa; and on to Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands.

After a rewarding 10-year career with the US Navy, Gilbert transferred to the US Air Force. It was more feasible to serve in the Air Force with a family, instead of being out to sea for six to nine months at a time with the US Navy.

Gilbert served 10 years in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. He served a year in the Vietnam War, stationed at Cam Rann Bay, Vietnam. Gilbert retired from the Air Force in 1976 in Atwater, CA, and started his own business remodeling houses.

His favorite hobbies included walking on the beach with his wife, collecting rocks, golf, and working on his house and his yard. He purchased a motor home and enjoyed traveling with his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed and loved all of his grandchildren, and was extremely proud of each and every one of them. His latest favorite pastime was playing online poker for fun.

Other survivors include his children, Candy Mannette and Kim Bernatz; his sister, Vicki Gluck; 10 grandchildren, Erica Fay, Brittany Sue-Marie, Tanis Fay, Derek, Ashley, Ryan, Drew, Katie, Rusty and Richard; and 11 great-grandchildren, Haley Candice, Peyton, Bennett, Brandon, Courtney, Cory, Casey, Elisa, Russell, Glenda and Cindy.

Source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, IA, 25 May 2011

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