Herman G. Kafura

Having enjoyed the bright side of the world for these past 83 years, it seems to be time to now also explore the unknown. Not a choice I like to make, but the time apparently has arrived. Off to another thrilling adventure…

I was born in 1941 as one of four brothers to my German immigrant parents who came to the United States in the early 1920s. Growing up in a bi-cultural, post war household was a challenge in itself, and one that I now realize was quite beneficial and an experience to be treasured.  I attended Appleton High School (now Appleton West) and graduated in 1960 and continued my education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, graduating with my BS degree in 1964.  I then continued my education with a graduate program in Russian Studies, completing my MA in 1967, along with nearly all the requirements for my PhD. During my undergraduate days in Madison I was enrolled in the Army ROTC program and was cited at my graduation as a distinguished military graduate in 1964, at the same time receiving my commission as an Armor Officer. This military requirement kept me from completing my PhD due to the Vietnam War, the Army calling me to active duty in 1967.

I served in Vietnam for two years with really outstanding people.  I was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division which had an exemplary wartime record.  I was privileged to be assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry, a unit with a long and distinguished history dating back to the days of General Custer and Little Big Horn. I will forever be grateful for the responsibilities and challenges this wartime experience provided me, especially the honor of serving with the soldiers of this unit. Following Vietnam, I served at Fort Ord, CA, as a Cavalry Troop Commander, then in Germany for three years with the 3d Armored Division.  Upon my return from Germany I served as an Evaluation Officer for the Armored Corps at Fort Knox, then as the Operations Officer for the 5th Cavalry Squadron before being assigned to the Presidio of Monterey for Arabic language training in 1978.  I attended the Joint Staff College in Norfolk, VA, then was stationed in Quetta, Pakistan for 18 months at the Pakistan War College.  My subsequent assignment was as an unarmed peacekeeper with the United Nations for two years in various countries in the Middle East, to include Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. I  finished my long military career in Washington DC, retiring from active military service in 1988. After my military service I worked for the Army as a civilian at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for several years, then became an instructor for St Louis University at Cor Jesu Academy for five years and worked for the WI Technical College System for eight years before finally retiring in 2007.

For the last 50 years I have thoroughly enjoyed working on my two pine plantations in Shawano County. I have worked hard to advocate for sustainable forestry, as well as support a variety of environmental causes close to my heart. I was also an avid Bridge player who never turned down an opportunity to play the game.

Of my original family I am survived by one brother, John, in Appleton. I was preceded in death by my parents, Fritz and Emilie (Flad) Kafura, as well as my eldest brother, Fred. My best friend, my younger brother, Dr. Peter Kafura, preceded me in death in 1974. 

I am also survived by my three very special children and I am honored to have been able to be their Dad, such a treasured life experience. Christopher and Vicki (Indianapolis), Cam and Gerda (New York), Cailie (Chicago).

Since 1982 I have been married to an absolutely wonderful wife of unparalleled beauty, wisdom, devotion, and tolerance, Christina Franks Kafura. I was privileged to meet this flower child during my service in Pakistan, where we accidentally met at the Karachi airport in December 1980 as she was completing the first half of her service as a nursing instructor for a Pakistani Mission Hospital, and I was completing the first year of my service with the Pakistani War College. What a thrill and privilege it has been to be married to this pure treasure for the past 42 years. Life would have been a worthless and dull experience without her. How I will miss her guidance, advice, love and warmth!!!! I love you more than you will ever know or can imagine. Thank you for everything.

I leave behind my comrades, alive and deceased, from the great units I have had the honor to have served with—7th Cavalry, 5th Cavalry, 9th Cavalry, 3d Armored Division, and the 1st Cavalry Division. I will see you all at Fiddler’s Green.

I also leave behind some very special nieces and nephews, much loved in-laws, and very special friends. You know who you are! You have all made my life richer. 

I could not have wished for a better life. Despite the usual hardships and disappointments one encounters during the course of a lifetime, I have had a truly fantastic ride, filled with challenges and rewards all along the way. I hope no one will grieve for me because I do not want it. I just want to be remembered as an old veteran who did his duty, planted a lot of trees, tried to make people smile, and loved his family to the utmost.

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HG Kafura passed away January 12, 2025. We, his family, will forever love and miss this larger than life character, and feel equally as blessed to have been able to be the family he cherished so much.

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