Kenneth Russell “Lucky” Luchsinger was born in Columbus, Neb., Jan. 7, 1944, to Henry and Florence (Cooper-Littelman) Luchsinger. He was raised and worked on the family farm, which was situated two miles east of Columbus. In 1965, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country until his honorable transfer to Naval Reserve, stationed at U.S. Naval Air Station Moffett Field, Calif., in 1969. He worked at Moffett Field NAS for 23 years as an electronic technician working on the P3 flight simulators. He resided in San Jose, Calif., until 1992, when he retired from Civil Service. He travelled the United States extensively for a period of time until securing a position with Pulau Electronics Corporation, which ultimately provided him the opportunity to work throughout the U.S. and also for five years in South Korea. Returning to the States to Oak Harbor, Wash., to work at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station until officially retiring in 2005.

He was married three times in his life: Cheryl J. Gassman, of Federal Heights, Colo.; Martha Petersen of San Jose, Calif.; and, lastly, to Margaret (Buck) Luchsinger, of San Jose. These unions produced five daughters.

Kenneth’s passion in life was aviation, and he obtained his private pilot’s license. He enjoyed visiting aircraft museums, attending air shows and watching documentaries of WWII, as he was particularly fond of WWII aircraft. He liked fine dining, travel, his walks by the beach, and loved his children and grandchildren dearly, spoiling them whenever possible.

He passed peacefully in his home in Oak Harbor May 6, 2015, but will be missed dearly by family and friends. The family is having a graveside service in Columbus, Neb., in July 2015. The time as of this printing has yet to be determined.

He is survived by, brother Gene (DeLellis) Luchsinger, of Omaha, Neb.; daughter Kimberly (Douglas) Pooley, of Castle Rock, Colo.; daughter Sandra (Mike) Young, of Thornton, Colo.; daughter Karen Luchsinger, of Brighton, Colo.; daughter Margaret Rachelle (Chris) Bodnar, of Denver; nephew Timothy Gene (Trudy) Luchsinger, of Grand Island, Neb.; nephew Bradley James Luchsinger, of Omaha; grandchildren, Jacqueline Pooley, of Pueblo, Colo., Danielle Pooley, of Castle Rock, Colo., Nicole Young, of Thornton, Colo., Samuel Young, of Thornton, Colo., Taylor Bodnar, of Denver, and Elyse Bodnar, of Denver; great-grandchildren, Ciara Star Black, of Pueblo, Colo., and Preston Young, of Thornton, Colo.

He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Luchsinger, who passed in 1987; mother, Florence A. Luchsinger, who passed in 2009; sister, Joan Willoughby, who passed in 2013; brother, Robert Luchsinger, who passed in 2001; and daughter, Annalisa Conte, who passed in 2015.