This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Kevin Gaspers who was born in Nebraska on April 08, 1981 and passed away on April 23, 2007 at the age of 26. We will remember him forever. 

1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers

1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska by his parents Pam and John Gaspers.  He grew up with his two younger sisters, Katie and Audrey Gaspers.  He loved working with his father, hunting, fishing, and sports. He was such a great man, such a gentleman.  We are all so lucky to have know such a beautiful person.  He will hold a special part in all of our hearts forever. 

On April 23, 2012 Kevin will be gone from us for 5 years.  We are extremely honored and blessed to have people remembering Kevin and what he stood for.  Please read on:  Tamera Schlueter of Hastings will be running the Lincoln National Guard Full and Half Marathon on May 6th, 2012.  She is collecting money for every mile she runs to be used towards the 1st., Lt., Kevin Gaspers Memorial Scholarship Fund set aside by the Hastings Comminity Foundation, Inc.  This scholarship, John and I, (Kevin's parents) set aside all memorial money and it is awarded to a senior from each high school in Hastings, NE that best exemplifies Kevin's values and morals.  We award  $500.00 to each student and it goes on toward their college expenses.  '

If you wish to contribute please send your pledge/money to Hastings Comunity Foundation, Inc., 800 West 3rd St., Suite #232, Hastings, NE  68901 or go to stschlueter@windstream.net and make a pledge to Tamera.

Thank you all and God Bless!  

John and Pam Gaspers

Kevin graduated from St. Cecilia High School in year 2000. He was an honor roll student and an exceptional athlete competing in football and wrestling.  Not to mention, the best life long friend anyone could ever ask for.  He had a great sense of humor and a laugh that was extremely contagious! He was a true friend that would do
anything for anyone.  

He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting as Cadet Battalion Commander in the Army ROTC. 

Kevin was a Scout Platoon Leader with 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.  He was a great leader, but was one of nine paratroopers that were killed April 23, 2007 in a suicide truck bombing attack on the U.S. patrol base in the Diyala province northeast of Baghdad. 

1st Lt. Kevin Gasper's Awards
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Combact Action Badge
Parachutist's Badge

Surviors include:
Parents: John & Pam Gaspers
Sisters: Katie & Audrey Gaspers
Grandmother: Phyllis Lloyd
Grandfather: Paul Gaspers
Aunt & Spouses: Peggy & Ed Lowe, & sons, Brad & Dan
                                     Julie Trouba & sons, Charlie, Joe &
                                     Tommy
Great Aunt: Dorothy Schumacher

In the gymnasium of St. Cecilia High School (where Kevin graduated) hangs a tribute of him. On the left hangs a plaque entitled "The Armour of God."  On the right is a artifact of an In loving Memory photo of Kevin. 

The framed letter posted under his photo reads:
On March 25th, 2007, Kevin Gaspers arrived from home for leave from Iraq. He was home for two weeks and then left on April 10th back to Iraq. During this time Kevin’s 26th birthday fell on Easter, which was April 8th. On April 14th John and Pam attended B.L.U.E., which is a fund raising event for the Hastings Catholic Schools. During the evening Father Meysenburg asked the people to remember Kevin Gaspers and Zach Cannon, who are St. Cecilia alumni and stationed in Iraq, to pray for them and their safety. The Live Auction contained a plaque entitled “The Armour of God” that had been donated by Sondra Jonson. She is a renowned artist and the plaque illustrates the famous passage from Ephesians. The winning bidder was to donate the plaque back to the Catholic Schools. John and Pam were the highest bidder. Needless to say, they never read the plaque during B.L.U.E. On April 23, 2007, Kevin was killed in As Sadah, Iraq by two suicide dump trucks. Kevin’s troop was heading out on a mission and was attacked by small arms fire and hand grenades from the south of the makeshift base. They went inside the building to regroup and call for more fire power. At the same time, from the north, came the two dump trucks. One truck burst though the concrete barricades and the second one came from behind and pushed the first one closer to the building. The trucks exploded and a section of the 2-story building collapsed on the men killing 9 in all and injuring 20 more. This was the worst tragedy in the 82nd Airborne in 40 years!
When Kevin’s body was flown in we had the plaque waiting at the funeral home for display next to Kevin’s coffin. This was the first time we read the plaque and felt “how fitting it was for a soldier.” It just seemed that this plaque was meant for us. Several weeks later we received Kevin’s personal items from Iraq. In one of the footlockers was his Army Issued Pocket Bible, which had been on him at the time of his death. As Pam was going through the pages of the Bible, she came across “The Armour of God” passage and Kevin had circled it. We felt this was more than a coincidence. Kevin never knew we bought that plaque as we had not been able to communicate with him since his arrival back in Iraq due to excessive fighting in the area and all communications had been cut off.
To us this is a sign from God that he is taking care of Kevin and his men!

God Bless 

Here lies our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend...Our Hero. 

Kevin and I went to High School together at St. Cecilia.  Even though he was a year older, I spent a lot of time with him and his class over the years.  I enjoyed watching him play football so much...and listening to his amazing laugh.  It was so contagious!  You could never be anything but happy around him!  I, among many, were very fortunate to spend time with him when he was home for leave just before he passed.  I will cherish the memories I've made with him forever.  He was the most genuine person I have ever known.  Such a caring and loving person. He is a true hero and will be truly missed.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of him!  Kevin, we miss you!  Watch over us!  We love you!!!!  
Thera 'Krueger' Jones (friend of Kevin) 

 

"Gone from our sight,
  but never our hearts" 
                         -Unknown

Dear family, friends, and visitors, 

I want to personally thank each and everyone of you for the beautiful comments that are being posted.  The purpose of this website is to show the world how special Kevin is and how many different lives he has touched. With all you have done, we are all doing just that.  I have learned so much more about Kevin and the lives he has touched, and have grown a deeper amount of love and respect for a friend that will rest in my heart forever.  Please continue to share your tributes and candles to Kevin, so everyone can continue to see the amazing person that he will be remembered for.

Please email me any personal stories and/or  pictures through the website that you would like to share through this website.  It would be a special honor to him to include additional memorials to this website.   

                                           Thanks, 
                                        Thera