Markusch, Clint G. – 1957-2009

HILLMER, MARKUSCH

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 7/23/2009 at 19:18:51

USAF Major Clint G. Gregory Markusch, born on March 1, 1957, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., passed away in Thornton, Colo., from complications related to his 17-year battle with spinocerebellar ataxia on June 18, 2009.
Clint grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1976. Clint was very active in Boy Scouts and obtained the highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended and graduated with honors from Luther College in Decorah, with bachelor degrees in physics and computer science. He was a diver on the Luther swim team, a member of the KWLC radio staff and performed with the Luther College Symphony Orchestra playing the violin and french horn that toured throughout Europe and the United States.
Clint also earned a masters degree in astro-aeronautical engineering from the University of Southern California.
Clint joined the United States Air Force in 1980 as an officer and worked for many years at NASA as a payload specialist with the Delta II rockets. He was also at HQ Space Systems Division in Los Angeles and the Strategic Air Command Base in Omaha, Neb. Along the way he realized his childhood dream of becoming a rocket scientist.
Before being medically discharged from the USAF in 1993, Clint was assigned to Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs with duty at NORAD.
Clint remained active in Boy Scouts and his church, ran four marathons and was an avid bicyclist doing RAGBRAI as a member of team cheddarhead. After receiving a medical discharge in 1993, Clint devoted the remaining years of his life to giving back to the disadvantaged through the many charities and activities he enjoyed so much.
Clint was preceded in death by his father, Deane Lewis Markusch in 1973.
He is survived by mother, Bonnie Markusch (Eugene Adams) of Newton; sisters, Vicki Markusch of Marshalltown and Holli Hillmer of Eldora; and brothers, Scott Markusch from Baltimore and Bradd Markusch (Susan) of Englewood, Colo. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, Addie, Libbie and Holden Hillmer, all from Eldora, and Deane and Lillian Markusch of Englewood, Colo.
Memorial services will take place in Newton on Friday, July 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church. Full military burial will follow at the Newton Memorial Cemetery. A “Celebraton of Life” dinner and reception will be from 5 p.m. until midnight at the Izaak Walton League in Newton.
Memorial contributions can be made to Compassion International at 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, or at compassion.com.
Clint had been the generous sponsor of two impoverished children, Embofole Kefabale of Zimbabwe, who is now in medical school, and Crizel Cabansag from the Philippines, who is in eighth grade.
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, July 3, 2009