Joe had a strong work ethic, genuine interest in the people he met, and love for his friends, family, and country. During his years of military service, Joe attained the rank of Colonel, serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force and Wing Commander of the 123d Tactical Airlift Wing – Kentucky Air National Guard.
Joe was born on July 31, 1941 in Louisville, Kentucky, grew up in the Camp Taylor neighborhood, and graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1959. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and regular officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1963 as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Air Force Reserves Officers Training Corps at the University of Louisville, where he also earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He was a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, the NATO War College in Rome, Italy, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., and the University of Southern California Safety and Systems Institute.
He earned his pilot wings at Reese Air Force Base (AFB), Texas in 1964. He was assigned stateside flight duties at Turner AFB, Georgia, McGuire AFB, New Jersey, and Langley AFB, Virginia. Overseas assignments included Sao Paulo, Brazil, Asmara, Ethiopia, and Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He flew over 600 combat support missions for U.S. Army Special Forces and Military Assistance Command during his tour in Vietnam. In 1969, he joined the Kentucky Air National Guard serving in multiple leadership roles prior to his promotion to Wing Commander. During his tenure in command positions, the Kentucky Air National Guard received numerous awards, including recognition as one of the most outstanding flying units in the Air Force and Reserve Components.
He was a command pilot with over 6,000 hours of flying time and qualified in 12 aircraft, including the RF-4C, RF-101, C-130B, C-131 C-7, and T-38. Joe maintained combat flight ready status during his career and was a tactical flying performer in the Dayton, Montreal, and Quebec City air shows. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He was the past president of the National Guard Association of Kentucky and served in other affiliations with the United States Air Force Association and Louisville Armed Forces Committee. During civilian employment, he held senior leadership position with The Louisville Regional Airport Authority, United Mail Processing, and Waste Management Industries.
In retirement, Joe participated in the C-7A Caribou Association, F4 Phantom II Society, and the F-101 Voodoo Association, hosting the 2016 conference in Louisville. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including weekly trivia nights, outdoor grilling, riding his grandchildren on his ATV four-wheeler, and playing with Lilo, his dog.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, John Martin Kottak and Carolyn Rose Kottak, and nephew Jason Kottak. He is survived by his wife, Juanita “Nita” Louise Kottak; sons, Tim Kottak (Ann), Steve Kottak, and Christopher Kottak; siblings, Raymond Kottak (Rita) and Suzanne Elder Coyle; grandchildren, Emily, Benjamin, Jane, Nathan and Chloe Kottak; step-grandchildren, Thomas and Lee Price and Kody Bradford; nephew, Larry Elder (Maris); and nieces, Mary Elder Schleissmann (David), Therese Elder Wunrow (Kevin), Sara Elder Eng (Stuart), Lisa Kottak Caruso, and Julie Kottak Dreisbach.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2021 at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Highway. His Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1406 E. Washington Street, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Air Force Assistance Fund at www.afassistancefund.org.
