Obituary of Carl Ernest Lorberau

CMSGT Carl E Lorberau USAF Born Cokedale, Co May 13, 1925 to Minna Huelsburg Lorberau and Ernst Lorberau. Died Lakewood, Wa June 3, 2007 of cancer after a 6 month illness. Carl grew up in Cokedale, Co and joined the US Army Air Corp in August 1943. He flew on B-17's with the 15th Air Force out of Italy in the 416 Bomb Sq, 99th Bomber Group. Dad flew 38 missions over Italy, Austria, and Southern Germany. He received the Air Medal w/Clusters and was nominated for the DFC. He served as an MP after the war in Williams AFB, Arizona and in Nagoya, Japan. Dad returned to the states in 1948 and was cross trained in cryptography and reassigned to Tokyo, Japan in 1950. He was awarded the Soldiers Medal in May 1955 for rescuing a pilot whose plane had crashed. He met and married Claudia Kress Lochridge in 1952 at Hamilton AFB, California. They were stationed in various places that included Japan, Germany, and Spain, as well as several bases in the US. Carl and Claudia had six children. Carl was stationed in Korea in 1968 and was in a serious automobile accident while stationed there. He returned to the US in 1969, and was finally posted to McChord AFB in Dec 1969 where he retired in 1973 after 30 years in the USAF. Carl rose the rank of CMSGT E9 and was one of first CMSGTs promoted. He also received numerous other awards and medals and had a full chest of ribbons when he retired. Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2006 and had surgery shortly after Christmas. He was treated at Madigan Hospital and at the Lakewood Healthcare Center. He was also cared for at the Franciscan Hospice center in University Place until he died June 3rd. Carl and Claudia were married for 55 years. He is survived by his loving wife Claudia and six children - Hidee, Teresa, Jon (Karen), Mark (Nikki), Kevin (Virginia), and Shane, five grandchildren (Kelsey, Mitchell, Danae, Scott, and Marissa), brother Ernie (Joann) Lorberau of Alice, Tx, and sister Barbara (John) Fanos of Mt View, Wy. Dad was very proud to have served in the USAF and believed that the military was a wonderful way to serve one’s country and to better oneself. He was an avid golfer and a heck of a cribbage player. Services at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on June 13th at 11:15am. We love you Dad and will miss you. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008