SALEM – A real HERO in life with courage beyond the call of duty in his battle with cancer, “Jeff” succumbed to the disease at his home in Salem on Friday, September 25.

 

            Jeff was born in St. Louis, MO and at the age of 13 moved to Salem with his parents Dr. Lewis and Margaret Bodenweiser, two sisters Laurie (Hain), Jane (McEldowney) and twin brothers Kirby and Kirk Bodenweiser. After graduating from South Salem High in 1959, where he was Class president and valedictorian, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves and then attended the University of Oregon on a work/study scholarship program sponsored by U.S. Bank. He graduated with a degree in Finance, and had worked for two years in the bank audit department, but after several friends had fallen in Vietnam, he felt he must take their place and volunteered for overseas duty. Jeff went to Vietnam as a 2nd Lieutenant. It would be 33 years later that he received the Silver Star Medal for  “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action” on Hill 861-A, during the Feb. 5, 1968 siege on Khe Sanh. During his Marine Corps career he received numerous citations and awards including the Navy Commendation Medal, two Presidential Citations, the Vietnam Meritorious Citation, and Army Commendation Medal. Before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1989 Jeff obtained a Masters Degree in Counseling and Education from the University of Virginia. He later worked for the State of Oregon Employment Department as a career counselor, working exclusively with veterans.

 

In 1989 Jeff returned to Salem to live and while attending his 30-year high school class reunion he met up with long-time friend and classmate, Janie Baker. They were married on June 1, 1991, with Janie’s two daughters giving away the bride. For the next 18 years Jeff made sure that his wife had roses on the 1st of every month to celebrate their “monthaversary”, 221 in all.

 

After Jeff’s second retirement, he remained a very active advocate of veteran’s issues through membership in various local veterans organizations as well as the state legislative sessions. Hel also was an active Rotarian and Elk. Jeff’s passion for skiing took him to Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Valley every February and in the summer he and Janie enjoyed sailing at Fern Ridge Reservoir, and spending leisure time at their home on the Oregon coast. Jeff was exceptional in maintaining contact with his many friends made over 60+ years and throughout his illness he and his family deeply appreciated  the heartwarming visits, correspondence and prayers from these people he held dear.

 

Jeff is survived by his wife, Janie; sisters, Laurie (Gordon) and Jane (Art); brothers, Kirk (Melinda) and Kirby (Lynn); step-daughters, Stephanie Alstadt and Melissa Wiltsey; granddaughter Claire Wiltsey; several nieces and nephews; his loyal “brothers” of the Theta Chi fraternity and many fellow Marines with whom he shared the strongest of bonds.

 

A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 1, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, 770 Chemeketa St., NE, Salem. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Jeff Bodenweiser Scholarship Fund through Elks Lodge #336 at 2336 Turner Rd. Salem, OR 97301 or Willamette Valley Hospice. Arrangements by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.