Louis Jacob Padgug

August 21, 1924 – October 27, 2021

America’s “Greatest Generation” lost another member when Louis Jacob Padgug (Lou) died peacefully in his home in Roseville, California on October 27, 2021 at age 97.

Lou was born to Joseph and Rose Padgug on August 21, 1924 in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Brooklyn. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on October 7, 1942 and spent a year stationed in Recife, Brazil. He was then accepted to Bombardier School as an Aviation Cadet and graduated as a bombardier in April, 1945 with the rank of Flight Officer. After further training on B-24’s and B-29’s, the war ended and Lou was discharged along with thousands of officers. He decided to re-enlist and due to his former Flight Officer status, was given the rank of Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank at the time. He then spent three years as an Intercept Control Technician assigned to a radar site in Southern Germany. When the Korean War broke out, Lou was recalled to active duty as a bombardier with the rank of Second Lieutenant. In 1959, Lou became a navigator on a KC-135 tanker crew at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana eventually attaining Senior Navigator status. During the Cuban Missile Crises in October 1962, his squadron was assigned to a base in Spain. While there, his tanker refueled B-52’s which were constantly circling the Mediterranean Sea as a nuclear war deterrent. Lou retired as a Major in 1964 with 22 years of officer and enlisted service.

While stationed in Germany, Lou met Margarete (Margie) and they married in 1948 just before returning to the States with Margie’s young daughter, Inge. They had a daughter, Judy and a son, Louis John.

After the Air Force, Lou was a navigator for several airlines including Capital and Eastern flying troops and cargo to Vietnam. In 1968, he was hired as a navigator for Japan Airlines and since he was based in Tokyo, he moved his family to Tachikawa, Japan where they lived from 1969-1971.

After his airline jobs, Lou earned an AA degree in Business Administration from Sacramento City College. He held several positions for Sacramento County retiring after 10 years as a Business License Inspector.

After Margie died in 1975, Lou met and married another German-born woman, Brunhilde (Bruni) in 1982. Lou and Bruni traveled to Germany and Hawai’i several times and enjoyed staying at their timeshare in Reno, Nevada. Bruni was a golfer so Lou learned how to golf and both were avid league bowlers. Lou won a local ABT bowling tournament and also bowled a 300 game. Lou and Bruni both worked out regularly at local gyms. Lou was a patriot and closely followed politics. He was a lifelong New York/San Francisco Giants fan and also enjoyed watching the San Francisco 49ers and Sacramento Kings. After Bruni died in 2016, Lou continued to drive and work out at the gym well into his 90’s. He was also able to use his computer for email, banking, etc.

Besides Margie and Bruni, Lou was preceded in death by daughter Judy and step-daughter Inge. He is survived by son Louis John and step-daughter Brigitta, sisters Ella and Susan, two nephews, three nieces, three granddaughters and three great grandchildren. He was a devoted husband and father, remembered for his caring heart and generosity and always made sure his family had what they needed and more.

Lou will have a private ceremony and be buried in Sacramento Valley National Cemetery with full military honors.