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York mom says goodbye to sailor son
  
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‘Easy day!’
By Kate Burke
YORK — This capable, compassionate man from the heart of America impressed everyone he met. He had a way of making them better people, and they never forgot him.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey J. Garber (AW/SW) was deployed with Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Arabian Sea as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On the morning of Saturday, June 20, CMC Garber was found dead in his stateroom. All indications are that he died of natural causes. He was 43 years old.
As Command Master Chief, Jeff Garber was the top enlisted man in the entire air wing, and was the primary liaison between the air wing’s commissioned officers and the enlisted sailors.
Captain Calvin Craig, Commander, CVW-7, explains, “The three of us (Master Chief Garber, Deputy Commander Captain Roy Kelley and myself) and our staff of 40 are essentially in charge of flight operations, training, aircraft maintenance and the daily well-being of approximately 1,500 pilots, sailors and their families.”
Capt. Craig admired how Chief Garber undertook his duties. "Tons of responsibility he handled with ease. He did all of this every single day, constantly on the move around the ship talking, teaching and advising sailors and senior leaders alike. And all with a smile ... every single day."
The hard work and study required to qualify for command master chief, and the responsibility it brings, limit the number of people who strive for it. But Chief Garber was a Nebraska boy. He knew about taking on hard work with a positive attitude. He knew about giving your all for the team. He knew about honesty and humility and compassion.
His mother always told him, "When you do anything, go the extra mile; go above and beyond,” and he did.
Many people in the York region know Jeff’s mother, JoAnn Kuester. She owns and runs the York restaurant Casa del Rey with her husband, Larry Kuester. Jeff grew up around Seward, making impressions early on at St. John Lutheran School.
He worked with a team of kids who helped serve lunch, even though it meant he ate last. He went the extra mile, helping with cleanup, too. His Christian faith was an enduring part of his life.
"He was a special boy — I heard that a lot," JoAnn says.
As a teenager, Jeff went to live with his father, James Garber, in the western Nebraska town of Hemingford. He impressed the people who hired him and his friend, Lance Kotschwar, to mow their lawns, when he went the extra mile and learned everything he needed to know to help them answer questions about weed control and lawn care.
The Navy was an excellent fit for this natural leader. One of Jeff’s shipboard colleagues, Master Chief Tony Adams, says, "Although he was often referred to as the ‘perfect leader,’ he was a very humble man. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or serve as a sounding board to a fellow shipmate, no matter the pay grade, rate or rank. When asked for his help, guidance or assistance, regardless of the subject or task, he would always respond, ‘Easy day,’ without fail."
"Easy day!" was Jeff’s trademark.
Master Chief John Louvat says, "I will always remember his infectious smile, his cordial greetings each and every time he passed anyone, and his simple response to everyone who asked something of him, ‘Easy day,’ meaning, I have got it — and he did."
Everyone who received Jeff’s "Easy day!" appreciated the rock-solid reliability that underlay it. Lt. Shawn Burmeister says, "If something was broken he made sure it was fixed and didn’t allow it to rest until there was resolution. He was a wonderful person and a joy to be around."
Rear Admiral Kurt W. Tidd is the commander of Carrier Strike Group Eight, in charge of approximately 8,500 personnel and all of the ships in the strike group. Chief Garber made an impression on him, too.
"While professionally it was so easy to immediately respect and admire Master Chief Garber, what we all loved about him was that he was so incredibly engaging on a personal level," Admiral Tidd says. "I had tremendous respect for [him]. But more to the point, I just really liked Jeff Garber, the man with the ready grin, the encouraging word, and a handy tip — when you needed it most.
“I have absolutely no doubt he would have made a truly outstanding Fleet or Force Master Chief, and perhaps a superb Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy."
CMC Garber’s close colleague, Master Chief James Lobb, appreciates Jeff’s ability to be both leader and friend, "whether it was ... in the work center, on the flight deck, on the racquetball court or the golf course."
Vice Admiral Alfred G. Harms, Jr. (retired), another senior colleague on whom CMC Garber had made an impression, spoke at the funeral. Noting Jeff’s love for Husker football, he joked that had Jeff known when he enlisted that aviation ordnancemen wear red shirts on the flight deck, he might have had a different Navy career path.
Capt. Craig, in a letter to CMC Garber’s wife, Amy, noted Jeff’s empathy with the men in the squadron. "Every day, Jeff wore a different colored jersey to show support for the departments within each squadron, green for maintenance, red for ordnance ..." and so on. On Jeff’s final departure from the ship, all departments — more than 1,000 personnel — stood in color-coordinated respect while his fellow chiefs carried his casket to the waiting aircraft.
"One last thing I’d like to share," Capt. Craig continued, "For us to have quiet time on the flight deck for the ceremony in the middle of our time flying missions over Afghanistan, the USAF changed the entire schedule for air support into Afghanistan.
"[We] launched F-18 strike fighters, EA-6B Prowlers and E-2C Hawkeyes early this morning to fill the skies over Afghanistan protecting those in harm’s way on the ground, and were able to pause for the ceremony because of the entire effort by the U.S. military. They did this in honor of Jeff."
Master Chief Louvat packed up Jeff’s "Navy life," his uniforms and personal items, for return to his family. He says, "As I packed the boxes, through my tears, I saw Jeff the Christian, the scholar, the avid golfer and racquetball star, but most importantly, the devoted husband and loving father to his three children. I will pray for them every day."
Jeff’s wife, Amy Garber, their daughters, Tayler (17) and Paige (15) and son Joshua (13), live in Virginia Beach, Va., where Naval Air Station Oceana is the home port of the Eisenhower.
Jeff’s funeral was held on base, at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Nearly 600 sailors and Marines lined a three-quarter mile drive to salute his hearse as it passed. Jeff’s old lawn mowing partner and lifetime friend, Lance Kotschwar, now with a UNL law degree and working in Washington, D.C., enlisted Nebraska’s Congressional representatives to help win approval for a flyover at Jeff’s funeral service, an honor usually reserved for pilots and high-ranking officers. Admirals and commanders spoke at the service, but Tayler Garber summed up all the accolades perfectly when she called her dad "the closest thing to a superhero" that she had ever known.
JoAnn relates stories of Jeff playing guitar and singing to his kids. She describes Jeff’s perseverance in remodeling the family home, teaching himself everything he needed to know to do the work himself, and to do it well.
Jeff died before he could finish his home remodeling, with the master bedroom left to do. Knowing this, Jeff’s colleagues aboard the Eisenhower have pledged to complete the work upon their return home. They have also established a scholarship fund, with a goal, says Capt. Craig, "to raise enough money to ensure Amy will never have to worry about school for Tayler, Paige or Joshua."
In the generosity of spirit exemplified by Jeff, there are plans to extend the Garber Children’s Education Fund to the children of other active-duty sailors as well.
Days that Jeff Garber had made easier will feel less so for everyone who knew and loved him. But, as Master Chief Adams recalls, "He closed every e-mail with the following quote from Sir Isaac Newton: ‘If I have seen further than others, it is because I stand on the shoulders of Giants.’
"Jeff ... we thank you for your friendship, guidance, mentorship, leadership, understanding and, most importantly, your inspiration. Thank you for being our Giant!"
Fair winds and following seas, Chief Garber.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey J. Garber (AW/SW) was deployed with Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Arabian Sea as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On the morning of Saturday, June 20, CMC Garber was found dead in his stateroom. All indications are that he died of natural causes. He was 43 years old.
As Command Master Chief, Jeff Garber was the top enlisted man in the entire air wing, and was the primary liaison between the air wing’s commissioned officers and the enlisted sailors.
Captain Calvin Craig, Commander, CVW-7, explains, “The three of us (Master Chief Garber, Deputy Commander Captain Roy Kelley and myself) and our staff of 40 are essentially in charge of flight operations, training, aircraft maintenance and the daily well-being of approximately 1,500 pilots, sailors and their families.”
Capt. Craig admired how Chief Garber undertook his duties. "Tons of responsibility he handled with ease. He did all of this every single day, constantly on the move around the ship talking, teaching and advising sailors and senior leaders alike. And all with a smile ... every single day."
The hard work and study required to qualify for command master chief, and the responsibility it brings, limit the number of people who strive for it. But Chief Garber was a Nebraska boy. He knew about taking on hard work with a positive attitude. He knew about giving your all for the team. He knew about honesty and humility and compassion.
His mother always told him, "When you do anything, go the extra mile; go above and beyond,” and he did.
Many people in the York region know Jeff’s mother, JoAnn Kuester. She owns and runs the York restaurant Casa del Rey with her husband, Larry Kuester. Jeff grew up around Seward, making impressions early on at St. John Lutheran School.
He worked with a team of kids who helped serve lunch, even though it meant he ate last. He went the extra mile, helping with cleanup, too. His Christian faith was an enduring part of his life.
"He was a special boy — I heard that a lot," JoAnn says.
As a teenager, Jeff went to live with his father, James Garber, in the western Nebraska town of Hemingford. He impressed the people who hired him and his friend, Lance Kotschwar, to mow their lawns, when he went the extra mile and learned everything he needed to know to help them answer questions about weed control and lawn care.
The Navy was an excellent fit for this natural leader. One of Jeff’s shipboard colleagues, Master Chief Tony Adams, says, "Although he was often referred to as the ‘perfect leader,’ he was a very humble man. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or serve as a sounding board to a fellow shipmate, no matter the pay grade, rate or rank. When asked for his help, guidance or assistance, regardless of the subject or task, he would always respond, ‘Easy day,’ without fail."
"Easy day!" was Jeff’s trademark.
Master Chief John Louvat says, "I will always remember his infectious smile, his cordial greetings each and every time he passed anyone, and his simple response to everyone who asked something of him, ‘Easy day,’ meaning, I have got it — and he did."
Everyone who received Jeff’s "Easy day!" appreciated the rock-solid reliability that underlay it. Lt. Shawn Burmeister says, "If something was broken he made sure it was fixed and didn’t allow it to rest until there was resolution. He was a wonderful person and a joy to be around."
Rear Admiral Kurt W. Tidd is the commander of Carrier Strike Group Eight, in charge of approximately 8,500 personnel and all of the ships in the strike group. Chief Garber made an impression on him, too.
"While professionally it was so easy to immediately respect and admire Master Chief Garber, what we all loved about him was that he was so incredibly engaging on a personal level," Admiral Tidd says. "I had tremendous respect for [him]. But more to the point, I just really liked Jeff Garber, the man with the ready grin, the encouraging word, and a handy tip — when you needed it most.
“I have absolutely no doubt he would have made a truly outstanding Fleet or Force Master Chief, and perhaps a superb Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy."
CMC Garber’s close colleague, Master Chief James Lobb, appreciates Jeff’s ability to be both leader and friend, "whether it was ... in the work center, on the flight deck, on the racquetball court or the golf course."
Vice Admiral Alfred G. Harms, Jr. (retired), another senior colleague on whom CMC Garber had made an impression, spoke at the funeral. Noting Jeff’s love for Husker football, he joked that had Jeff known when he enlisted that aviation ordnancemen wear red shirts on the flight deck, he might have had a different Navy career path.
Capt. Craig, in a letter to CMC Garber’s wife, Amy, noted Jeff’s empathy with the men in the squadron. "Every day, Jeff wore a different colored jersey to show support for the departments within each squadron, green for maintenance, red for ordnance ..." and so on. On Jeff’s final departure from the ship, all departments — more than 1,000 personnel — stood in color-coordinated respect while his fellow chiefs carried his casket to the waiting aircraft.
"One last thing I’d like to share," Capt. Craig continued, "For us to have quiet time on the flight deck for the ceremony in the middle of our time flying missions over Afghanistan, the USAF changed the entire schedule for air support into Afghanistan.
"[We] launched F-18 strike fighters, EA-6B Prowlers and E-2C Hawkeyes early this morning to fill the skies over Afghanistan protecting those in harm’s way on the ground, and were able to pause for the ceremony because of the entire effort by the U.S. military. They did this in honor of Jeff."
Master Chief Louvat packed up Jeff’s "Navy life," his uniforms and personal items, for return to his family. He says, "As I packed the boxes, through my tears, I saw Jeff the Christian, the scholar, the avid golfer and racquetball star, but most importantly, the devoted husband and loving father to his three children. I will pray for them every day."
Jeff’s wife, Amy Garber, their daughters, Tayler (17) and Paige (15) and son Joshua (13), live in Virginia Beach, Va., where Naval Air Station Oceana is the home port of the Eisenhower.
Jeff’s funeral was held on base, at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Nearly 600 sailors and Marines lined a three-quarter mile drive to salute his hearse as it passed. Jeff’s old lawn mowing partner and lifetime friend, Lance Kotschwar, now with a UNL law degree and working in Washington, D.C., enlisted Nebraska’s Congressional representatives to help win approval for a flyover at Jeff’s funeral service, an honor usually reserved for pilots and high-ranking officers. Admirals and commanders spoke at the service, but Tayler Garber summed up all the accolades perfectly when she called her dad "the closest thing to a superhero" that she had ever known.
JoAnn relates stories of Jeff playing guitar and singing to his kids. She describes Jeff’s perseverance in remodeling the family home, teaching himself everything he needed to know to do the work himself, and to do it well.
Jeff died before he could finish his home remodeling, with the master bedroom left to do. Knowing this, Jeff’s colleagues aboard the Eisenhower have pledged to complete the work upon their return home. They have also established a scholarship fund, with a goal, says Capt. Craig, "to raise enough money to ensure Amy will never have to worry about school for Tayler, Paige or Joshua."
In the generosity of spirit exemplified by Jeff, there are plans to extend the Garber Children’s Education Fund to the children of other active-duty sailors as well.
Days that Jeff Garber had made easier will feel less so for everyone who knew and loved him. But, as Master Chief Adams recalls, "He closed every e-mail with the following quote from Sir Isaac Newton: ‘If I have seen further than others, it is because I stand on the shoulders of Giants.’
"Jeff ... we thank you for your friendship, guidance, mentorship, leadership, understanding and, most importantly, your inspiration. Thank you for being our Giant!"
Fair winds and following seas, Chief Garber.
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