Lt. Col. Elmer R. Geehan USAF (Ret.)

GEEHAN, Elmer R. Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) passed away in his sleep at the Dayton VA Hospital on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the age of 84. Born February 7, 1928 in Cedar Lake, MN to Joseph and Gertrude Geehan. Orphaned as a young child, he was also raised by his cousin Bettie Martin and her husband Rollie Flynn. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Donald Geehan. Survived by brother Francis (Frank) Geehan. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Maureen and children Dennis Geehan, Colleen Geehan, Kathy Meyer, Tracy (Dave) Robbins, Kelly Geehan, Sean (Stephanie) Geehan, Dawn (Jeff) Caldwell. Also survived by Grandchildren Jennifer (Kevin) Martin, Julie (Nick) Spanhook, Ryan Meyers, Rhiannon (Travis) Wilson, Kevin, Lauren & Scott Robbins, Sara Caitlin Geehan, Grace, Sarah, Michael & Annie Geehan, Aaron, Alex & Megan Caldwell and Great Grandchildren Mariah & Emery Martin, Kelsey & Kayla Wilson, Charles, Ella & Maddie Spanhook. He is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. After leaving Minnesota, Elm met Maureen in Cincinnati, OH while earning his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Cincinnati. Elm and Maureen raised 7 children, who traveled with them to various assignments throughout the United States and the Philippines, often huddled in car coats in the back of a station wagon through northern blizzards, crossing the Pacific Ocean on overseas cruises or flying while juggling airsick bags, nursing bottles and a cluster of energetic children. Next to his wife, children and the “Fighting Irish” of Notre Dame and MN Vikings, Elm most dearly loved to serve his nation during one of its most turbulent periods, from the Korean War to the Vietnam War to the war for civil rights. Following his own brothers’ enlistments, Elm, too, joined the US Marine Corps in 1945 but was discharged shortly after being injured by a grenade blast during boot camp. Determined to serve his country’s military, he joined the US Air Force as a cargo loader first assigned to Greenland. His exceptional dedication and integrity led to his recruitment as one of the first members of the elite Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), where he became an expert in counterintelligence and criminal investigations. Elm’s service to his country as an OSI Special Agent featured 5 years at the US Embassy in Manila, including an assignment in 1963 to school South Vietnamese military leaders. Perhaps he was proudest, though, of his role in the US Civil Rights movement. In 1964, Elm was the Special Agent in Charge of the OSI Detachment at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama, where he was assigned to help protect civil rights marchers during Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s second attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery. For his successful coordination of their security, Elm was commended by then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and President Lyndon B. Johnson for his courageous efforts to protect the marchers. Elm retired from the Air Force in 1973 while stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Elm followed 22 years of public service in the military by attending graduate school at Wright State University’s College of Education and teaching math for many years at Weisenborn Junior High School in Huber Heights where he earned the “Teacher of the Year” award. His later years were spent in Beavercreek, Ohio, traveling with Maureen and enjoying time with their grandchildren, who knew him as “Bob” -- a name he loved. We all love and miss you Elm, Dad, Grandpa, Bob! In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Secret Smiles of Dayton to provide beds for children. Secret Smiles of Dayton, Inc., P.O. Box 291903, Dayton, Ohio 45429-0903 or Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting wishes to chronically ill children. Make-A-Wish, 2545 Farmers Drive, Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43235. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Saint Luke Catholic Church in Beavercreek, OH, followed by a Military Tribute and Celebration of Life at 11:30 AM. Arrangements in care of Tobias Funeral Home – Beavercreek Chapel. Condolences may be expressed to his family at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.