Maj. Daniel Russell Yochem, Usaf (Ret.)

Daniel Russell Yochem passed away on the morning of September 25, 2020, just before reaching his 77th birthday. Dan is survived by wife Karen Yochem (Downing) of 52 years, son Daniel J. and daughter-in-law Angela (Charlotte, NC), son Eric and daughter-in-law Amy (Salt Lake City, UT), granddaughters Joy and Grace (Charlotte, NC), brother Philip and sister-in-law Carol (Crestline, OH), and several nieces and nephews.

Dan was born on September 29, 1943 in Galion, OH to the late Donald J. and Ellanora A. Yochem (Redman). He graduated from Galion High School, where he participated on the Basketball, Track, and Golf teams and other clubs. Dan attended Bowling Green State University, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He would later go on to obtain his Master of Public Administration degree at Golden Gate State University.

Upon graduation from BGSU, Dan voluntarily joined the United States Air Force, where began his military career as a B-52 radar navigator flying combat missions over Vietnam. During this time, he received the Air Medal four times and the Gallantry Cross for outstanding airmanship and courage exhibited while carrying out his missions under extremely hazardous conditions. Because of his exemplary performance, Dan was promoted to an instructor position, ahead of his contemporaries, becoming one of the youngest flight instructors ever selected for Strategic Air Command’s Combat Crew Training School. Dan subsequently took over responsibilities as an Air Division Senior Director supporting NORAD, monitoring the flying ops in the largest region, supervising the surveillance of Russian reconnaissance aircraft, and directing the allocation and distribution of conventional and nuclear-equipped air weapons to defend the East coast of the U.S. Major Yochem progressed on to become Deputy Commander of Ops for the squadron defending Iceland against Russian attack. This lead to his selection to Air Command Staff College (only the top 15% of officers are selected) and subsequently being assigned to positions of B-52 Flight Commander and Operations Staff Officer for the 28th Bombardment Sq and 19th Air Refueling Wing at Robins AFB, GA where he retired from the USAF after 21 years of service.

After retiring from the Air Force, Dan continued his mission by serving as the Air Force Jr ROTC instructor for William Blount High School in Maryville, TN. Dan returned to Warner Robins to hold accounting positions with G. Bernd Company, The Daily Sun, and finally Warner Robins Supply Co. before retiring from his 28-year civilian career.

Dan enjoyed sports. He regularly jogged and swam. He coached youth basketball, baseball, and soccer teams. He served on the Robins AFB Youth Center Advisory Board and Middle Georgia Soccer Association Council. He enjoyed playing pick-up games of basketball, tennis, and golf with his sons, as well as watching sports with the family.

Dan was a devoted husband and family man. Dan treasured the time he spent visiting with friends and family, whether trading stories, playing cards, or simply enjoying meals together. Dan was a quiet, humble man who enjoyed talking with people, seemingly never meeting a stranger. Dan was known for his endearing smile and kindness he showed to all. The message he would leave for all of us would be to treat each other with kindness and respect.

Dan’s Catholic faith played an important part throughout his life. Dan was an active member of Our Lady of the Skies Catholic Parish at Robins AFB Chapel for over 27 years before the onset of complications from his illness.

Dan will be laid to rest in a place of honor at Andersonville National Cemetery. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited funeral service (Rite of Committal) with a reduced military honor guard will be held outdoors at the cemetery’s Rostrum pavilion, located on the east side of the cemetery, on Friday, October 2nd at 2pm. Guests are asked to wear appropriate face coverings.

The family would like to thank the neighbors and friends for their love and support. The family would also like to thank the Heart of Georgia Hospice’s Hazel Colson House in Perry, Georgia for their outstanding care, kindness and support. Memorial donations may be given to the Hazel Colson House in memory of Daniel R. Yochem through the Heart of Georgia Hospice web site (https://www.heartofgahospice.org/donation-form), specifying “For Hazel Colson Hospice House” in the comments section.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.