Alumni Review - Summer 2010 Web Exclusive Content
We remember all of our veterans and realize we may not have included many honorable men and women in this issue. The following is a sampling of some of the most high-ranking alumni and friends of the University of North Dakota. Please feel free to contact us directly at alumnireview@undalumni.net if we are missing someone.
H. F. "Sparky" Gierke, ’64, ’66, HON ’05, retired as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Services on Oct. 1, 2006. He retired after a distinguished forty-year career serving the armed forces, his state and the nation. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign medals for his service in Vietnam. He and his wife, Jeanine, live in Windermere, Fla.
Bernard P. Randolph, ’64, ’65, HON ’89, is a retired U.S. Air Force General who served as Commander, Air Force Systems Command from 1987-90. General Randolph’s military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal Commendation Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. He and his wife, Lucille, live in Long Beach, Calif.
Leo J. Baxter, ’69, departed military service in 1999 as an Army Major General after 31 years. General Baxter’s military career revolved around command assignments in Europe and the U.S. He also served in Israel, Egypt and the Sinai desert as a United Nation’s peacekeeper. He and his wife, Terry, live in Lawton, Okla.
Richard “Dick” Espeland, ’66, ’81, was awarded a silver star in December 1968 for gallantry in action while serving in Vietnam. First Lieutenant Espeland and his wife, Karen (McConnell), ’65, live in Bismarck.
Elton W. Ringsak Jr., ..’65, served as a captain and commander in Vietnam from 1967-68. He received several accommodations for his service including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Metal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Vietnam Service Medal
Elton Ringsak Sr. (dec.), ’35, was one of the most highly decorated veterans to serve in WWII. He has received five purple hearts, as well as the Bronze Star, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross (twice), the French-Coixee Guerre, the Italian Military Valor Cross, The Presidential Citation, the White Legion of Honor, and four European Theatre Operational medals. Elton entered the North Dakota State Senate in 1957 and served for 16 years. While in the Senate he was Chairman of the Social Welfare and Veterans Affairs Committee. Injured in the war five times, Elton was awarded the President’s Trophy as “Handicapped Person of the Year” for 1974 by President Gerald Ford. In 1976 he was awarded The Sioux Award by the UND Alumni Association. A permanent memorial to him was established and unveiled in UND’s Memorial Union in 1984, and in 1987 the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Grand Forks was dedicated in his name. He was married to Ruth (Baker) (dec.), ..’36, for many years, with whom he raised a family in Grafton, N.D.
Paul Soderberg has served in a wide range of afloat and staff assignments. Rear Admiral Soderberg assumed his current duties as Director, Logistics/Fleet Supply Officer on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet on Oct. 1, 1998. His military awards include the Legion of Merit (4 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal and various other campaign ribbons. He is a qualified Naval Aviation Supply Officer, Acquisition professional, and Logistics Management IT specialist. Rear Admiral Soderberg and his wife, Jacqueline (Lewis), ’69, live in Fargo.
Tim Keating, ’64, ’66, is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral whose last assignment was as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command from Mar. 26, 2007 to Oct. 19, 2009. Prior to that, he served as Commander, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD); the first Navy officer to become USNORTHCOM's combatant commander. He retired from the Navy after over 38 years of service.