Harold Braspenninckx
Sep 15, 1932 -
Mar 3, 2023
Harold "Hal" Braspenninckx, age 90, passed away on March 3, 2023, with family at his side. Hal was born on Sept. 15, 1932, in Lena, Wis., to the late Victor and Martha Braspenninckx.
Hal graduated from Lena High School in 1951. While in high school, Hal joined the Naval Reserve in Green Bay and four years later was transferred to the Wisconsin National Guard (32 nd Infantry Division).
In 1953, Hal enrolled at St. Norbert College, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and an U.S. Army Reserve Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant (Infantry). A few years later, he was offered a Regular Army Commission in the Chemical Corp.
On Dec. 31, 1957, Hal married Shirley Erdmann in Brookside, Wis. For the next 23 years, they traveled with the Army with duty stations in Kansas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Alabama, Washington, D.C., and Germany. Hal also served in Vietnam from 1969-1970. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Awards, Joint Service Award and U.S. Army Accommodation Awards. His terminal assignment was Fort Richardson, Alaska, where he served as Command Chemical Officer and Comaneci Nuclear Surety Officer. Hal retired from the military on Oct. 31, 1978, as a Lieutenant Colonel.
After leaving the military, Hal enrolled at La Verne University and earned a master's degree in business studies. In 1979, Hal took employment with Standard Oil of Ohio later known as British Petroleum, Alaska. He retired in 1994, but stayed on as a consultant for several years. After his retirement, Hal volunteered for McLaughlin Youth Center and the Anchorage School District. When Shirley retired, they jointly did volunteer work with the AARP Driving Program for eight years. They also volunteered with Friends of Nike Site Summit because of Hal's extensive knowledge through his position in the military as a Nuclear Surety Officer during the Cold War Era. Hal and Shirley were also members of the Alaska Prospectors for many years.
Hal is survived by his three children, Natalie Zellner (Roger), Nathan Braspenninckx (Dani) and Barb Wilson (Mike); four grandchildren, Elizabeth Zellner, Jennifer Zellner (Matt), Shaun Wilson (Lynne) and Lexi Wilson; and two great-grandchildren, Zoey and Gus Wilson. Additional survivors are his nephew, Hart Braspenninckx; and nieces, Brenda Virtues and Lisa Rajkovich.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Shauna Stepp, a close family friend, Shirley's caregiver and finally Hal's constant companion while at Providence Extended Care (PEC). They would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and entire staff at PEC for their support and care.
Hal was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Shirley (Erdmann) Braspenninckx; his parents, Victor and Martha Braspenninckx; brothers, Hartley and Herschul Braspenninckx; half-siblings, Leo, Arthur, Charles and Louis Braspenninckx; half-sister, Helen Kimichick; and sister-in-law, Darlene Virtues.
Services will be held at a later date and Hal will be buried with full military honors on June 14, 2023, at Fort Richardson National Cemetery with his beloved wife Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Hal's memory to the Friends of Nike Site Summit – FONSS, c/o Alaska Community Foundation, 3201 C Street, Suite 110, Anchorage, AK 99503.
