Harvey P. Salger

Harvey Salger, 85, of Grafton, Wisconsin entered his eternal rest, passing away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024. Harvey was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 11, 1938 to Paul and Leona Salger. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joan (Green) Salger; children: Jason Salger and Nicole (Jeffrey) Watter; grandchildren: Kyle (Hailey) Watter, Joel Watter, and Laura Watter; one great-granddaughter, Adeline Watter. He is further survived by sisters: Dorothy (Jerry) Young, Betty (Ronald) Fehr, Irene (Gary) Pendleton, and Sharon (Michael) Thyssen; sister-in-law, Peggy Salger and many other family members, loved ones, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Leona Salger and a brother, Glenn Salger.

Harvey graduated from the University of Illinois-Carbondale with a degree in Geography and was part of the ROTC program. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1962. On October 20th, 1963 he married Joan, whom he met while in pilot training at Vance AFB, in Enid, Oklahoma. Harvey served in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967 as a reconnaissance pilot, after which he served in a variety of roles. Harvey received numerous decorations over the course of his 23-year Air Force career, earning two Distinguished Flying Cross medals and was highly decorated with other commendations and awards. After retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1984, he went back to school, earning a Master’s Degree in Accounting. He worked as a tax accountant for over twenty years, retiring in 2016.

In addition to having two successful careers, Harvey was a man of many talents and interests. He was a businessman, rock hound, gardener, sportsman, painter, and wood-carver. He loved to hunt and fish and did so as often as he could, especially with his children, son-in-law, grandchildren, and friends. Above all, Harvey was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (“Pa”) and devoted to his family. Harvey was very active in his church, St. John Lutheran in Grafton, faithfully serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with whom now he resides in glory.

There will be a memorial service on May 4th, 2024 – 2:30 PM with military honors to follow at St. John Lutheran Church, 1193 Lakefield Rd. Grafton, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00-2:15, with Dinner to follow at 4:00 PM.