William Poehlman Jr.

The world lost one of the last WWII veterans, Colonel William Poehlman, Jr. on Aug 13, 2025. “Dear old Dad” or “DoD” as his children referred to him lived a long life of devotion to his family, sacrifice to the nation, and devotion to the Catholic church. Born in the Great Depression, he emerged as a true example of the “Greatest Generation,” raising a family of 6 children while navigating the military life. The Poehlman house always had a welcome mat and hosted the weekly Church choir and priest gatherings, many family and friends in need of a place temporarily, and the seat of wisdom and dialog. He and Cherride Poehlman lived over 5 decades together until her passing and since then he maintained the hospitality they shared.

Bill was ever present at the Church choir, playing the mandolin with Cherri playing the organ. His faith was grounded in the experiences in the Korean war where he felt a guardian angel protect him from harm’s way, igniting a lifetime of faith but also leading him to Cherride in 1956 during his early transition from the Army to the Aviation Cadets and Navigator School for the Air Force. Their subsequent life together brought the world six children who lived a life of music, books, church, moving around the world, and laughter. He was a voracious reader of everything and could talk at length on any topic known to mankind.

After decades in the military, he retired from the USAF in 1975, and the family settled in Milpitas in 1976 where he worked at the Blue Cube for Aerospace Corporation, defining the algorithms that powered the space program. He lived in the Poehlmam house until his last visit to the hospital on Aug 12, 2025.

Bill was a problem solver, a true engineer of things, people, music and life. He told Suz after Cherri’s death when she asked how he could keep going he stoically said that Poehlmans “do not cower.” He pushed through and stayed at home, even as his own health declined and he figured out how to design a home he could stay in. With Jim’s passing in 2023, his remaining children Suz, Bruce, Lou, Judy and Viv plus their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, other “family of the heart” relatives, and friends all brought him his greatest joy.

Bill’s legacy is a spirit of facing adversity and opportunity with resilience, reason, and kindness. All who knew him and loved him will miss him. But “We are Poehlmans, we do not cower”, so we will persevere without him.