Obituary: Harald Kahlert Served His Country, Community

Harald Paul Kahlert, 97, passed away Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at St. Catherine’s Hospital, Pleasant Prairie following a brief illness.  He was born in Racine, October 18, 1918, son of the late Paul and Anna (Nee: Guse) Kahlert and had been a lifelong area resident.

Harald served in the U.S. Army during W.W.II and retired as Army Commander Sergeant Major, Fourth Brigade of the 84th Division U.S. Army Reserves.

On Nov. 18, 1950 in Kenosha, he was united in marriage to Dorothy J. Hefflefinger who preceded him in death Sept. 9, 1995.

Harald was employed by Young Radiator Co. for 32 years, retiring in 1979.  He was a member of the 20 Year Club and former Chairman of the Board of the Young Radiator Employees Credit Union   He was also a member of the Great Lakes Credit Union, Great Lakes Naval Station,IL.

Harald was a member and former board member of the Kenosha Senior Citizens, a former board member of the Kenosha Senior Action Council, a life member of the Kenosha Rifle and Pistol Club, a member of AARPS, a life member of the National Rifle Assn., and member and President of Lakeside Rifle and Pistol Club. He was also a member of the Burlington Rifle Club and the Southport Rifle and Pistol Club- Kenosha. Harald also volunteered working with elderly abuse committee in city of Kenosha, served as a board member and vice president of of Hesed House Inc. and Harith House/Vision House of Racine (These are homes for homeless males and city prisoners getting ready to be released with jobs in the Racine and Kenosha area; and was a member of the Kenosha Museum.

Harald was also very committed to his fellow veterans through his efforts in various veteran organizations.  Included were memberships in  State P.C.C. Legion Club (Membership Committee);  the American Legion: ( 50 year member,  Sons of the American Legion Squadron #449 of Elm Grove, WI, and served on the State American Legion Contest Committee which sets up the rules and regulations for drill teams, drum corps, and bands, former board member, Past County Commander,  Past County Adjutant,  Past 1st District Sergeant at Arms; and Post 310 Oratorical Chairman);  40 et 8 Voiture 497- Racine County ( Past Chef de Gare,  Membership and Child Welfare Committees);  Champion State 40 et 8  Grand Color Guard (Co-Captain);  Veterans Service Fund Inc. (Vice President);  Racine City Veterans Council (Past President);  Past Commanders Club Post 310;  N.C.O. Council – Milwaukee (Life Member);  Spirit of “76” Bronze Float;  Eagles Nest -Racine;  Legion and the Racine Veterans Firing Squad (Member and Captain); Secretary for Veterans Pooy Fund Committee City of Racine; Member of the  Box Car Assn 9 Special Committee of the 40 et 8 Assn at the National Level; Co-chairman of the  Junior American Legion Local Baseball Team for many years; Master of Ceremonies for many Veterans Activities; secretary and M.C. for the Dec. 7^th Pearl Activities in Racine for American Legion Post 310 – the first WWII American Legion Post to receive a national charter in the State of Wisconsin; member of the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Assn; member of The Retired Enlisted Assn; and also visited veterans in veterans hospitals as well as the King Veteran’s Hospital, King, WI.  Harald was 2nd Vice President of the Racine Veterans Legacy of Racine Inc.

Harald was a charter member and first Drum Major of the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps.  He also was Drum Major for Washington Park High School Band (also played drums and cymbals) and Drum Major for the Racine City Park Board Band (also played bass drum and cymbals).  He also was a former member, bass drummer, and vice-president of the Boy’s of “76” Drum and Bugle Corps.

Surviving are a daughter Terry Lynn Kahlert (Wayne S.) Eng of Milton, MA; sister-in-law, Mildred (John) Becker of Kenosha; nephews, John Paul Davis of Orlando, FL, John Becker, Jr. of Kenosha, William Becker of Waterford, WI; other relatives and dear friends.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Elvira Kuhnwald on August 8, 1999.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 28.  Interment with Full Military Honors were held at Graceland Cemetery, W.W.II Veterans Section.  In lieu of flowers memorials to The Veterans Club Legacy Center, 820 Main St. Racine. WI  53403 have been suggested.