Col. Norm Kholos cleared for departure

[arajca]

It is my sad duty to report to you that Col Norm Kholos has passed away.  He was 76.

Col Kholos joined Civil Air Patrol in August of 1961 and was very active in CAP in many different disciplines.  Col Kholos was Master rated in Logistics, Administration, and Personnel, and also held Senior ratings in Fiance and Information Technology.  Col Kholos earned the presigious Wilson Award in 1986 for completing Level V of the Senior Member Professional Development Program.

Kholos' past assignments included a term as Rocky Mountain Region Vice Commander and service as Squadron Commander at Black Sheep Senior Squadron.  At the time of his death, Col Kholos was a member of Colorado Wing Staff, serving as Assistant Director of Operations for Mission Reimbursement.

A veteran of the Korean War (Army) and Vietnam War (Air Force), Col Kholos was well known and respected across Colorado Wing, Rocky Mountain Region, and CAP National Headquarters.  He will be dearly missed.

Memorial Service information is not yet available.

I've served under him. One of the few who truly understood admin. He will be missed.

[Smithsonia]

By Capt. Scott Orr
BSSS Public Affairs Officer

Col. Norman G. Kholos, the Colorado
Wing Assistant Finance Officer for
Mission Reimbursements, former
Black Sheep Senior Squadron Com-
mander, and a former USAF TSgt.,
died Monday, 12 January 2009.

Kholos had a long and distinguished
record of service with Civil Air Patrol,
having joined in 1961. He had
achieved just about everything a mem-
ber could do, and, over the years, had
been a member in California, Arizona,
and Colorado, and has held administra-
tive positions at the squadron, Wing,
and Region levels.

Despite some physical challenges,
Kholos remained very active in the
Civil Air Patrol. He stepped down as
squadron commander of Denver's
Black Sheep Senior Squadron in Au-
gust, 2008 after three years. His tenure
was marked by an increased emphasis
on customs and courtesies. 

He most recently was an honored guest
at the Curry Award ceremony held at
Ft. Logan National Cemetery in De-
cember. At the Black Sheep Senior
Squadron's Holiday Banquet and
Awards Ceremony in Decem-
ber, Kholos was honored as
Squadron Senior
Member of the Year and was 
nominated for Colorado Wing
Senior Member of the Year as
well. 

"Norm was a great friend and mentor," said BSSS Commander Maj. Gary Hub-
bard. "Up until his death, Norm was still providing assistance to me and my staff
with his many years of leadership experience."

BSSS Historian 1st Lt. Ed O'Brien said, "About once every six weeks to two months
Norm and I would lunch. He liked blintzes and coffee. We'd talk about our lives. I can
say that he loved us all. Not just liked or admired us, in the Black Sheep—he loved us."

Kholos is survived by his wife of 53 years and three children.

He was 76.