

Maj. Gen. Kermit Q. Vandenbos, 80, passed away in San Antonio, TX on August 26, 2007. He was born in Corsica, S.D. on February 21, 1927 to Freda and Dick Vandenbos. After graduating from high school in Mitchell, S.D., he enlisted in the United States Navy Air Service. Following that he attended Dakota Wesleyan University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts; University of South Dakota Medical School, Bachelor of Science; University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. He interned at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, CA and in 1954 he transferred to the United States Air Force and was assigned to Yuma County Air Force Base, AZ. He completed a residency in general surgery at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, HI. In 1959, he was transferred to Langley A.F.B., VA and was chief of the department of surgery, hospital services and professional services for Headquarters Tactical Air Command. In 1961, he completed the primary course of aerospace medicine at Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Vandenbos was commander and chief of surgery at Richards Gebaur A.F.B., MO, he was transferred from there to Elmendorf A.F.B., AK where he was chief of the department of surgery and later commander. His next assignment as commander was Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews AFB, MD, and his last assignment was commander of Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AFB, TX. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal, three Legion of Merit Awards, three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the VFW Silver Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Dr. Vandenbos rose from an enlisted navy air crew member to a Major General in the United States Air Force. On March 31, 1985, he retired with 34 years of military service and a year later, he was employed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. In 1990, was employed by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Eunice Serck Vandenbos; a daughter Deborah Vandenbos Tackmann and husband David Tackmann; a son Scott Vandenbos and wife Paula Delagardelle Vandenbos and five grandchildren.
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