General Wacker (Rudy) was born September 4, 1929 in Poughkeepsie, NY and passed away peacefully on April 2, 2011. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the post-WWII occupation forces in Germany. In 1950 he received an enlisted appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Graduating in 1954 he returned to the Air Force, completed flying training and earned his pilot wings in 1955. His career included initial assignments to the Air Defense Command in Burlington, Vermont and Madrid, Spain. Later assignments included teaching at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. In 1968, he was assigned to DaNang Air Base in Vietnam where he completed 240 combat missions. He then reported to the Pentagon as an Air Staff Officer. In 1972, he was the director of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons operational testing. In 1975, he was selected to attend the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, England. He then took command of a NATO-assigned fighter wing in Europe reorganizing it from a wing of three squadrons of F-4 fighters to six squadrons of A-10 "wart hogs" as Wing Commander. After promotion to Brigadier General in 1979, General Wacker commanded the 42nd and 19th Strategic Air Command Divisions in Blytheville, Arkansas and Fort Worth, Texas. He retired in 1984. His numerous military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He and his beloved wife moved to Springfield, Missouri to be closer to their family. They shared many memorable events and activities with their children and grandchildren through the last ten years. They were active members of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Rudy was active in the Springfield SE Rotary Club and the "Barron's." He also assisted in the Bingham Elementary School's reading program for 1st graders. Rudy is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty S. Wacker; two sons, Paul, an attorney in Springfield and Rudy, a retired Healthcare Executive. He also leaves behind a loving family of one daughter-in-law, Judy Wacker; five grandchildren, Jamie Gregory, Mandy Dinnell, Lindsay Sargent, Chris Wacker, Nikki Wallar and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Agnes, a sister Joyce and brother, Ted of New York. Rudy spent his last months at the James River Care Center where he was lovingly attended by staff, family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family asks that gifts be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1500 S. Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65804. A memorial service for family, friends and caregivers will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 1:00 PM in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Interment will follow in Springfield National Cemetery.