Christopher Hendrik Keuker

Christopher Hendrik Keuker of Englewood Florida passed on December 28, 2015. Christopher was born March 7, 1940 in Bombay India. His mother held an American passport, and his father worked in Indonesia and at the time held a Dutch passport. The family was in Indonesia when World War II broke out, and Chris, along with his mother, sister, and two brothers spent the war years in a Japanese internment camp while his father was kept in another Japanese prison. After the war, 5 year old Chris and his family returned to the states. He grew up in the Bronx, Syracuse and Buffalo New York. In high school Chris was an honors student with a gift for mathematics and science. In 1958 he was awarded an appointment to The United States Military at West Point, graduating in 1962 in the top 10 percent of his class. After graduation Chris completed Airborne and Ranger training at Ft Benning Georgia and was then assigned to Panama. In 1966 Chris deployed to Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division and was given command of A Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry. Chris's unit saw sustained and heavy combat in Vietnam's central highlands. On March 14, 1967 Chris was severely wounded leading his troops in combat. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star for bravery, and the Purple Heart. Over a two year period, Chris was treated for severe wounds in Vietnam, Japan, and the United States. In 1969 he retired from the Army as a Captain with full disability. Over the years Chris has maintained a positive attitude. He had made known that attending the 50th reunion of his West Point class was a "must do event". With the help of his West Point classmates, Wounded Warriors and Veterans, family and friends, Chris and his family in May of 2012 traveled to West Point for the reunion with his classmates. Chris was a life member of disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of Punta Gorda Masonic Lodge F&AM #115. Chris is survived by his wife Dixie, children Dr. Christopher Paul Keuker, and daughter in law Susan Hart- Keuker of Boston Massachusetts, daughter Lisa Keuker, of Greenwich Connecticut, and stepson Robert Sewell of North Port Florida, grandchildren Christiana Barile, Nicholas Barile, Lester Tuck, Tyler Tuck, great grandchild Luna Harbert, sister Francis Vedder and brother Oscar Keuker. Chris will be cremated. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Wounded Warriors of South Florida (https://wwofsf.org/donate/) or Disabled American Veterans (https://www.dav.org/). A Memorial Service will be held at Englewood Masonic Lodge located at 265 Pine Street, Englewood, FL on January 28th at 2 PM. Burial will be at West Point on June 24, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. Chris, from all who loved and knew you, job "well done", rest in peace.