With a heavy heart I inform you that our Columbus Base shipmate Jack Wirtz, 92, departed on Eternal Patrol Monday March 25, 2024.Jack never really shared much about his life... before, in, or after the Navy. About all I can tell you is: he qualified in submarines in 1952, as a QM3 aboard USS Corsair SS-435; he was inducted into the Holland Club in 2002 by Wisconsin Base; he joined Columbus Base in September 2020.
That's pretty much it. Oh.... and I know that he thoroughly enjoyed coming to our meetings. He once remarked that we made him feel as if he were back on the boats. I'm not sure any of us could ask for higher accolades from a shipmate.
There will be no memorial service, no local funeral, and likely no obituary. Jack's family is in Wisconsin, Sheboygan I think. His wife passed away some years ago but he has a daughter who lives there. Jack will be cremated and his ashes sent to his daughter to be interred next to his wife.
There's little that we can do here in Columbus. However, I'll send a packet for his daughter with the Eternal Patrol certificate, a print of Jack's Eternal Patrol picture (like we post on the website), and a copy of "The Final Inspection" poem. And, as usual, if I receive any additional information, I'll pass it along.
As is our custom, Columbus Base will also donate $100.00 to the USSVI Scholarship Fund in Jack's memory.
Fair winds and following seas, shipmate.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar.