John Lee Kaltenbach

John Lee Kaltenbach was born in Midwest, Wyoming on November 11, 1930 to George and Hope Kaltenbach. He attended schools in Wyoming and Montana with his sister, Lois, and graduated from Billings High School in May 1948. In November 1948, he joined the Naval Reserve as a Seaman Recruit. He went on to college, and graduated from the University of Wyoming in June 1953 with a BS in Geology.

John was a man of many accomplishments. After college, he attended the Naval Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve in November 1953. After four years in Active Duty in the Navy, John spent ten years as a consulting geologist in Denver, Colorado and Houston, Texas. In 1967 he joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center where he served as a Senior Earth Scientist with Skylab and the Apollo missions. After the first flight of the Space Shuttle, he created and managed the Space Shuttle Earth Observation Project that taught the Shuttle astronauts by experts in various scientific fields, what to observe, photograph, and document from the vantage point of the Shuttle's orbits. John retired from NASA in 1985, and joined the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, and served for three years as Lockheed's Resident Manager for the Space Station Project at the McDonnell Douglas offices in Huntington Beach, California. Simultaneously, John was in the Naval Reserve, where he completed many military assignments. His most interesting and rewarding Active Duty assignment was debriefing former POW'S returning from the Vietnam in 1973. He served over 38 years in the Naval Reserves and was the Commanding Officer of four Naval Reserve Intelligence Units, retiring in 1987 as a Captain. Throughout his career, John was bestowed several honors, including the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Europe), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NASA Superior Achievement Award, and the NASA Certificate of Commendation.

As outstanding as these plentiful accomplishments were, to his loved ones, John will be remembered most for his devotion to family. He married the love of his life, Carolyn Jean Mathias, in December 1960. They lovingly raised their daughter, Julie, in the Houston area. Never one to raise his voice, he parented with patience, fairness, and discipline: his favorite saying was "Shape Up or Ship Out"! He was the best Gramps as well. He would burst with pride at the mention of his only grandchild, Josh. They went on many adventures together, and John would use his incredible ability to make any occasion a "teachable moment". But, no one could bring a sparkle to John's eye like his great grandchildren, Ella and Jaxson. They brought so much joy to him, especially in his later life.

John will always be remembered for his wonderful storytelling. Tales of the mighty Navy, or the wonders of outer space, or simply just fun times with family. He was a source of inspiration to many. Through his wisdom and experience, he guided and advised extended family members in their own goals and careers. His sense of humor was endless, and he would bring smiles to everyone, even up to his final days. The family takes comfort knowing Captain John is once again with his beloved Lady Carolyn for all eternity.

To join the following livestream the day of the service if you are unable to attend: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82391371668?pwd=1qyZpbINHzbsrRKfEUzVOVbxVuGSP1.1#success

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.