Otto Frank “Rock” Kattwinkel
Eagle Scout 1940
Distinguished Eagle Scout 1973
As a young man, Frank Kattwinkel helped pilot planes over the Himalayas with the Army Air Corps and spent 30 years as an Air Force officer. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1942.
Lt. Col. Kattwinkel’s post-military career included teaching at 17 colleges and universities throughout his life. He was a lifelong learner and teacher with an impressive resume. He once contacted the Guinness Book of World Records to see if teaching at 17 colleges and universities over the course of his life qualified as a record. (Unfortunately, they don’t keep records for that category.)
He earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1940. Devoted to Scouting, “Rock” took pride when his four sons all followed in his footsteps as Eagle Scouts. He was a James E. West fellow and a Gold-level Member in Tidewater Council BSA’s Heritage Society. He died in 1998.
His son, Kevin Kattwinkel, eulogized his father and how “Rock’s” military, educational, and Scouting careers impacted others.
To his friends in the academic community, my dad was “Professor” Kattwinkel. “Professor” Kattwinkel was a natural teacher. He loved the truth, which is why he excelled in the classroom. His students loved the personal illustrations he used, everything from raising rabbits as a boy to his days at the Pentagon. But to me, the important thing is that he inspired a love for learning in those around him. All six of his children graduated from college, and four of us have gone on to earn graduate degrees. This respect for knowledge started early — dad was never too busy to check our grade school homework for spelling or grammar errors. And make no mistake, he was a tough grader.
To his friends in the military, my dad was “Lt. Col.” Kattwinkel. He loved his country and volunteered for service in World War II. He loved to tell the story of his enlistment — that the other branches of the military actually rejected him because of flat feet, but when he went to the Army, the recruiter reached out, grabbed him by the arm, and stated: “You’re warm — come on in!” “Lt. Col.” Kattwinkel wore the uniform proudly. He was a natural leader. He respected authority and expected us to do the same. Watching him, I gained an appreciation for hard work, duty, and honor.
To his friends in the Scouts, my dad was “Rock” Kattwinkel. I think that was his favorite nickname of all — steadfast, solid, dependable. You can read about his many Scouting accomplishments and awards in his obituary, but he would probably be most eager to tell you how his four sons all followed in his footsteps as Eagle Scouts. I think Scouting brought out some of the best in my dad: he epitomized the Scout motto to “Be Prepared;” he truly believed in the ideal of helping others; he enjoyed hearing and telling (mostly telling) a good story; he constantly urged us to take out “lifetime memberships” in worthwhile organizations; and he believed that there is a right way and a wrong way to do just about everything, from folding a flag to running a National Jamboree.
My father often referred to himself as the “Patriarch” of the “Kattwinkel Clan.” I have to admit that the rest of us were far more likely to call him “Dad,” “Grandpa,” or even “Pop-Pop,” but then again, I think “Patriarch” does say something about the value he placed on family. My father took great pride in his children and their accomplishments, and he took seriously his responsibility to guide, encourage, nurture, and discipline each of us as individuals who were precious in God’s sight.
My father was a living example of a faithful, devoted husband. My mom and dad would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this May. My mom says that when they were courting, she knew he would be a good husband because of the way he treated his own mother and her mother (who was a family friend). Dad always called Mom “My Sweetheart,” and they truly had a lifelong partnership. To the end, he carried their wedding picture in his wallet. He loved to tell anyone who would listen, “This is how it all started,” pointing out the “gleam” in their eyes. Then he would flip to the latest picture of the whole clan — mom and dad, six kids and spouses, and nine grandchildren.
To his friends at church and in the larger community, my dad was “Frank” Kattwinkel. He was naturally engaging, generous, and reliable. Service to others characterized his life, and he was frequently sought out for difficult, unusual, or specialized tasks. Just last month, he performed one of his personal favorite duties twice, serving as “Santa Claus” in full costume for gatherings of disadvantaged children right here at the church. His favorite word to describe himself was “gregarious,” which I think reflects his love for people and social interaction.
In Proverbs 22:1, we read that “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” My father enjoyed just such a good name. Watching “Frank” Kattwinkel over the course of his life, I have learned that what you do in the service of others is much more important than the “title” you carry.