Memorial Page

 

John Alan Achelpohl

1940-2010

SMSgt USAF Retired

SAC Elite Guard Member

1964-1966   1967-1969 

John Alan Achelpohl, 70, Minot, went home to his Father’s house, Sunday, June 27, 2010, at Mayo Clinic/St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. 

John Achelpohl was born March 6, 1940, the son of Hazel Achelpohl in Santa Cruz, CA. 

He joined the United States Air Force, where he spent 20 years.  John met and married Ria Stein on December 16, 1961 in Hahn, Germany.  He continued his successful climb through the ranks and retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1977.  It was during these years that his love of mentoring and teaching others began to grow. 

After retiring from the military to Minot, he began a second career as an insurance salesman with Principle, Inc. until his retirement in 1995.  The last several years of his life, he was active in the US Air Force SAC Elite Guard, of which he had been a member of in the early 60’s.  He did extensive research into their history and kept other former members updated with a newsletter he started sending.  His love of mentoring and teaching continued until his death, nurtured through the Ward County jail ministry.  He was there to listen, counsel, and teach about the Lord to those that would partake in God’s word. 

John was a man who loved his Savior, adored his family and lived his life being of service to others through his guidance, teaching and mentoring. 

His loving family includes, wife of 48 years, Ria, Minot; children, Jack DePriest, Charleston, WV, Debbie Achelpohl, Minot and Denise Smith, Hatfield, PA; grandchildren, Heather Achelpohl, Jessica Smith, Jeremy Smith, Max DePriest and Nick DePriest; sisters, Dorothy Crownover, San Jose, CA, Norma Morrell, Santa Rosa, CA and Carole Sheffield , Las Vegas, NV and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

John was preceded in death  by his mother, Hazel. 

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  Psalm 36:7 

Funeral service: 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010 at First Assembly of God, Minot, ND;
Interment:  Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND;
Visitation:  Wednesday, June 30, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials:  Memorials are preferred to Teen Challenge, Youth For Christ or the Salvation Army.

John was selected for the SAC Elite Guard in 1964 as an A1C where he was later promoted to SSgt prior to his assignment to Vietnam in 1966. Upon completion of his RVN duty he returned to Offutt as a TSgt where he was assigned to the training section of the guard. John demonstrated a strong work ethic, impeccable dress and a by-the-book regiment to those who he trained. He required from others no less than what he required of himself. John was a leader and task master who inspected what was expected in the duties of an Elite Guardsman. One knew that post checks from him were not social visits, but rather an inspection to insure what he trained was put in practice. 

John left the SAC Elite Guard in 1969 where he went on to have a long successful career in the USAF, but that is not where the story ends. During the early years in the formation of the SAC Elite Guard Association it was believed that he had passed on and as such was carried on our list as deceased. A short time elapsed when we received a phone call from John saying, “I am alive, take me off the list!” True to his word, he presented himself at the next reunion and from that time forward he became one of our prime contributors to the formation of the SAC Elite Guard Association. 

During the ensuing years right up until his final days, he was focused on projects that would tie together all of his research and years of effort in telling the complete story of the SAC Elite Guard. There is no question that John loved the SAC Elite Guard and we as members of this group are indebted to his diligence and efforts. 

Thank you John, rest in peace, your work will be continued.

Bill Marshall, President

SAC Elite Guard Association