ol. Duane Arthur Kuhlmann, 97, Spanish Fort, Ala.

Duane Arthur Kuhlmann, the “Colonel” joined his beloved bride, Dorothy, in heaven September 23. He was surrounded by his family when he died peacefully at home.
Duane was born Dec. 15, 1923 in Northwood, Iowa to Jenny Messenger Kuhlmann and Sophus Kuhlmann.   Duane and his three younger brothers Hugh, Kenneth and Lyle were raised in Byron, where Sophus and Jenny owned and operated the local grain elevator business.
Duane joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 after Pearl Harbor. During 32 years of service to his country, Duane flew the P40, P51, F84, B66, and F4 and did combat tours in WWII and Vietnam. Col. Kuhlmann retired from the Air Force in 1974 in Dayton, Ohio as vice commander of Defense Electronics Systems Command.  
He was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1974 and accumulated numerous air medals throughout his distinguished career.
He met Dorothy on a blind date in 1947. For him it was “love at first sight.” They married four months later in Rollingstone, Minn. Kuhlmann’s Air Force career took Dorothy and the growing family to eight different Air Force bases in the U.S. and Germany. 
They moved to The Landings in Savannah, Ga. in 1982 where they enjoyed golfing, tennis and fishing and a great community of friends. In 2003 they moved to Spanish Fort, Ala.
Duane and Dorothy are survived by their seven children, John Kuhlmann (Rosie), Jenny Kuhlmann Zinn (Bob), Tom Kuhlmann, Karen Kuhlmann (Andy Sher), Fritzie Kuhlmann Bassel (Steve), Greg Kuhlmann (Stephanie), Chris Kuhlmann (Dani), 19 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and Josie their beloved dog. 
The family would like to thank dad’s caregivers. We were blessed that Ursula Crawford cared for both Dorothy and Duane for six years. Thank you also to Jackie White, Linda, Debbie and Juwanna who all cared for Duane in his final years. 
Memorial services pending. Burial will be in Byron, Minnesota next spring.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Daphne, Ala. www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.