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1953-54 Shipmate LTJG Karl Kettelhut
Loss of a shipmate
Obituary for Karl "Pete" Kettelhut
Karl Thomas “Pete” Kettelhut, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on May 5, 2025, in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was born at Home Hospital on November 13, 1930, in Lafayette, Indiana; a son of the late Karl and Marietta Kettelhut.
Pete attended West Lafayette public schools and then attended the University of New Mexico (1948-1949), Northwestern University (1949-1952, business) and Michigan State University (1954-1957, civil engineering).
On December 29, 1954, he married his beloved Susanne Elizabeth (Winkler) Kettelhut. She preceded him in death on February 21, 2020.
He served in the United States Naval Reserve from September 1948-August 1961. Pete served his country for two years (January 1953-July 1954) during the Korean War as an Assistant Supply Officer/Finance Officer on the USS Edisto icebreaker, crossing the equator three times and the Arctic Circle too many times to count.
He worked in the construction industry which included 7 years (December 1977-April 1983) in Saudi Arabia employed by Aramco as a construction engineer.
Pete and his wife Sue enjoyed traveling the globe, with his favorite trips being Australia and cruising the Danube River.
He cherished his childhood memories at his family’s cottage in Pentwater, Michigan, and over the years often went back to Thursday night summer Civic Band concerts held at the Pentwater Village Green. He also enjoyed the times spent with his wife and children at their cottage in Grand Haven.
Pete was a voracious reader and loved to read his New York Times front to back every day. He read about many topics and even indulged in Nicholas Sparks novels. Quirky, thoughtful, and kind, he could remember almost any date or fact. Family and residents at his retirement community remember him for his friendliness and positive outlook. He felt very fortunate to have lived the life that he did and rarely complained. He frequently would say, “I’m a happy camper.”
Survivors include his five children -- Karen (David) Reifler, Kurt (Mary Ellen) Kettelhut, Eric (Louisa) Kettelhut, Ann (David) Noe, and Mark (Amber) Kettelhut; twelve grandchildren -- Karl (Hattie), Kettelhut, Sarah (Brook) Botbyl, Ryan, Connor, and Kara Genther, Kara (Nate) Hunt, Kelsey, Molly, Elisa and Anabelle Kettelhut, Jane and Henry Kettelhut; three great-grandchildren – Karl and Evie Kettelhut and Ryne Hunt; sister Mary Ann Combs of Austin, Texas; and nieces and nephews.
Edisto Island
MORE INFO ON EDISTO
From CWO4 Richard Schmidt Jr. USCG, Ret.
I was a SN on the Edisto from ‘69 - 71. If anyone’s interested, the Edisto’s helm/wheel from the bridge, compass, binnacle and navigators balls and the stand it all sits on is located at the
“The Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum” in Dunkirk, NY.
The Story of the USS Edisto Plaques
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 12:48 PM
To: gdsmith
Subject: Re: Request on Plaques
Glenn - The full story is that one day in early 1958, the Captain expressed an opinion that it would be nice to have a ship's plaque in the quarterdeck area for visitors to see. I discussed the idea with Frank Barnes, who had been a ship's inspector at Boston Naval Shipyard before coming aboard Edisto. Frank was a Warrant Officer Machinist and knew everyone in the yard. He asked me what information the plaque should contain. We laid it out together, and he said let me discuss it with the foundry shop. Frank went to the foundry shop with the request, and when he came back, I asked him if they could do the plaque. He said they would in exchange for 10 lbs of coffee for the shop and a foul weather jacket for the shop foreman. I went to Bill Hunt, the Supply Officer and told him what we needed. He signed on. It was an official cumshaw transaction. About two weeks later the plaque was delivered and the shop guys mounted it to welded brackets on the bulkhead in the passage-way at the quarterdeck area. The Captain was very pleased. The plaque served us well when we visited Argentina and Uruguay with many official visitors. After leaving Edisto, I never saw the plaque again until it popped up on ebay years ago. I have no idea who had the presences of mind to save it when Edisto went to the ship wreckers or how it passed from owner to owner. That's the full story of The Plaque. Enjoy the visit to Edisto Island. Eugene T Mollica Jr, LTJG 58-59
Stay safe. Stay alive. Stay in touch.
Plaque Presentation to Edisto Island
Plaque Presentation to Edisto Island
May 25, 2021, Shipmates Glenn Smith (standing between Mayor Jane Darby & Crawford Moore, Mayor ProTem) and accompanied by shipmates Jerry Downs and Bob Weber (center) are shown here with the Governing Council of the Town of Edisto Island where two bronze plaques were presented to the Island for which the ship was named. These plaques were once mounted on a bulkhead of the USS Edisto (AGB-2) and thought to be lost. Possibly sold on eBay or sold for scrap.
However to the delight of Edisto shipmates, on the last night of our New Orleans reunion, two Coast Guard Ensigns, Norm Dufour, 71-72 and Jack Orchard, 71-72, brought them to the reunion. With NOLA being the last reunion of the Association, a vote was taken to dissolve the nonprofit corporation. As for the disposition of the plates, feelers were put out to the Naval History and Heritage Command which said they were interested in one of the plates as an artifact but cautioned that it most likely would not be displayed but placed in storage for safekeeping. So rather than donating them to the Navy museum where they might never be seen again, it was felt that they would receive more care and attention by island residents and visitors to Bay Creek Park where the plaques will be displayed for all to see. Glenn also donated a copy of his book, The Story of an Icebreaker and a photo of the ship.
Another interesting tidbit about Edisto plates came from Ensign Charlie Wood, '56-59.
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 1:01 PM
To: gdsmith
Subject: Re: Edisto IslanIt was a pleasure to read of your presentation of the plaques and it reminded me of another plaque. In 1958 when we were planning for the Deepfreeze IV operation, the old and unused bow motor was removed to create some additional storage space. Among the "stuff" uncovered was the original brass builders plaque from Western Pipe and Steel who built Edisto for the Coast Guard. I showed it to Captain Davison and he saw no reason to keep it since Edisto was a navy ship. I had it in my state room but once I was detached and left the ship (and the navy) I never saw it again. My guess is that someone still has it either at home or in some display somewhere. Does this ring a bell with you?
Best regards.Charlie Wood (1956-1959)