John Herbert Kaelberer

John Herbert Kaelberer was born to Herb and Emma in Philadelphia, PA on October 2, 1929, raised in a loving Christ-Centered home, an only child, but surrounded by loving extended family.

Sports were a huge part of his youth as was Church. At his Eight- grade graduation, when asked what he wanted to be, he said: “I want to be a US Navy Chaplain!” The year was 1943.

Our dad went to a Lutheran college in Allentown, PA. In the same town there was a woman’s college where his beloved Barbe was a student. They were married on Flag Day, June 14, 1952 in Bloomsburg, PA, our mother’s home town.

Dad graduated from Seminary in May of 1954 and was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on May 20, 1954. He enjoyed 71 years of ordained service to God’s dear people. The Lord blessed our family as Son, John, Jr., was born in 1954, followed by second son, Eric, born in 1957 and then came the birth of daughter, Mary in 1960. We three children are so blessed to have been raised in such a loving home.

While serving in two congregations in Pennsylvania our dad raised his right hand and put on the uniform of the United States Navy as a reserve Chaplain in 1960. In the summer of 1965, we packed up and moved to San Diego, CA as dad went on active duty, beginning another 24 years of service, including Destroyer duty off Viet-Nam, Cruiser duty that took him far afield into exotic ports like Karachi, Pakistan.

But the most meaningful duty assignment was as the Regimental Chaplain for the 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, with a “parish” that stretched from Da Nang up to the DMZ in 1969-70.

He was also the FMF Pacific Chaplain, the Atlantic Fleet Chaplain, and worked in the Chief of Chaplains Office, Washington, D.C. as Director of Plans, Procurement, and Budget.

But his highest and best assignment through the years was as the husband to his beloved Barbe. They enjoyed nearly 63 and a half years together before the Lord called her home some ten years ago.

Dad has missed her, dearly so. That they are together now in the presence of the Lord is our great comfort and true joy. It was on the afternoon of September 1 that he received his Crown.

To all those who are his friends, former parishioners, men and women with whom he served, neighbors, and extended family, we, his children thank our God for you and the love you shared with him.