Obituary of Frank James Gloeckner, III

CDR Frank James Gloeckner III, USN (Retired)

June 18, 1936 – October 20, 2022

 

CDR Frank James Gloeckner III, USN (Retired) cherished husband, father, Poppy and friend passed away suddenly on Thursday October 20, 2022 at Reston Hospital.  He was surrounded by family. 

Frank will be deeply missed by his wife and Sweetie of 62 years Barbara Fitzgerald Gloeckner; children Jim (Cara) Gloeckner, Barbara Gloeckner, Mary Buchanan, and Charlie (Kirsten) Gloeckner; 12 grandchildren Michaela (Jerimiah) Wallace, Gus Gloeckner and Catherine Gloeckner; Peter (Brianna), Kelly and Josiah McCarthy and Olivia (Chris) Stone and Zeke and Naomi Buchanan; and Erin, Megan and Molly Gloeckner; and 5 great grandchildren: William Wallace and Aubriella, Eva, Grace and Elizabeth McCarthy; countless nieces and nephews and his siblings Kathy (Bob) Taormina and Barry (Sandy) and Mel Gloeckner.  His parents Frank and Fran Gloeckner, grandson Max Gloeckner and brother Chris Gloeckner preceded him in death.

When Frank attended the wedding of a high school friend in 1957 he saw a girl in a beautiful blue dress and said he had met the girl he would marry – Barbara Ann Fitzgerald from Little Falls, NY.  The two were married in September of 1960.  Frank believed winning the heart of the lady in the blue dress was his greatest accomplishment.

Born and raised in Albany NY, Frank was a NRTOC midshipman at Holy Cross graduating in 1958 and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. Over a 25 year naval career, he was stationed in Washington, California, and Virginia.  As a Naval Flight Officer, Frank was a Bombardier/ Navigator in the A3D from 1960 to 1965 and transitioned to the A-6 Intruder in 1966.  Frank was a proud to serve in VA-65, the World Famous Fighting Tigers – for two combat tours in S.E Asia; the Forrestal in 1967 during the tragic fire, then in 1969 on the Kittyhawk.  Frank’s third combat tour was as the ordinance officer on the USS America in 1972.  Frank’s service was recognized with 7 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation medal with Valor among many others.  Frank also enjoyed developing and testing new systems for aircraft as a member of VX-5 and the Operational Development Force (OPDEVFOR).  His last deployment was as a Plank Owner, ‘Gun Boss’ on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Frank was humble about his service and expressed his pride by highlighting the courage and resiliency of his shipmates.

After retiring from the Navy in 1983 Frank worked in the defense industry until fully retiring to golf, travel and spend time with his grandchildren.  Frank - often the life of the party - was known for his sense of humor and quick wit.  Frank loved reading and poetry and would often pen poems about the antics of his children and grandchildren.   He was a gifted woodworker and cabinet maker and an avid golfer but mostly he was passionate about his wife and his family and was the driving force behind many, many family get togethers.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 AM November 4, 2022 at St Thomas a Beckett - 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston Virginia.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in Frank’s honor to the Intruder Association Scholarship Fund, Tunnel to Towers, Samaritan’s Purse or your favorite charity.  Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.