Brian P. Achenbach
Brian P. Achenbach, 52 of Kokomo and formerly of Tipton died on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at his residence. He was born on October 6, 1966 in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of Ralph L. and Susie (Gooldy) Achenbach of Tipton.
After his graduation from Tipton High School in 1985, he enlisted in the Air Force. He worked for nearly 34 years at Grissom. 8 years of active duty with the 305th Air Refueling Wing and 26 years as an Air Reserve Technician with the 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. He served as the Lead Aircraft Mechanic on a KC135R refueling plane. His duties also include training many Air Force staff in several critical areas. He was well liked and known to be very knowledgeable and his personality made him very approachable. His deployment over the years took him to Turkey, Guam, Spain and Iceland where he earned over 17 awards and decorations.
Brian enjoyed life. He greatly enjoyed dancing and band. He would always help anyone in their time of need. His hobbies in his spare time included boating, fishing, reading, photography, making homemade ice cream with his family and working on hot rod cars.
Brian is survived by his parents, Ralph and Susie of Tipton, a son Philip Lee Achenbach of Russiaville, a brother Wade and wife Shelly Achenbach of Zionsville and a sister Dale Lee and husband Youness Lahlou of Indianapolis. He has two nieces and a nephew.
Funeral services with military rites will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5, at West Street Christian Church with Rev. Linda McKiernan-Allen presiding. Visitation will also be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until service time at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois, 60674.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
My heart is heavy hearing the sad news of Brian’s passing. For me, he will always be that sweet boy with the big brown eyes who sat in the seat behind mine on the school bus, to talk with me as we rode to and from school. Sweet, funny, and kind. There aren’t nearly enough people like him in this world, and he will be missed by so many of us. Rest in peace, Brian.
I first met Brian when 1987 when we were first stationed at Grissom. Over the next six years we worked hard and had some great times together. A close friend, the best man at my wedding, and fellow veteran. I’ll always remember his smile, laugh, and cool dance moves. 🙂 God Bless and Rest in Peace. “Hand Salute”
Brian is my best friend and I am missing him so much. I first met Brian in 1985 at Grissom afb standing in front of his jet he was a mechanic on. His smile and laugh are a contagious quality he will always be remembered for! His heart was big enough for the entire world to fill with compassion and love! Brian never knew a stranger and always had the ability to walk into an empty room and leave with 10 friends! He loves to dance and never passed the opportunity to show you his “ACHY moves”!!! He will never be replaced and will be missed by all … You were called home Brian, way to soon, but I am comforted knowing that you are having a LONG talk with God and finally getting the answers you needed to get the peace you so deserved!!! I love you Brian P. Achenbach … Rest in His beautiful peace brother 🙏💙🙏
RIP Achey, you will be greatly missed.
I had the honor of meeting Brian less than 48 hours before he passed. I was impressed by his memory of my hometown (Crawfordsville, Indiana), where he lived briefly as a child. He had a warm, genuine smile, and I enjoyed conversing with him about his childhood memories. RIP Brian. May the Lord bring your family comfort and peace knowing you are in HIS arms.
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Ralph and Susie. We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Sincerely, Dick and Diane Timm
RIP, truly one of the good ones…
Ralph and Susie, please accept heartfelt condolences from my family and I. I knew Brian best from our high school band days when he played a mean trombone and had that old POS Ford with a Police Interceptor engine. Later I enjoyed swapping Air Force lies (my brother, Rob, and myself were active duty as well in the same era) and recounting life in general. I hadn’t seen Brian for a few years before he passed but I recall at the time that we caught up quickly and easily as if no time had passed at all. I always liked Brian and I’m proud to have had him as a friend. “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings”….John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
What a great friend and teammate. It was a pleasure to have served with Brian locally and in many places around the globe. His enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to quality were unequaled. We shared a love for God, family, Country and we shared lots of laughs. Thank you MSgt Brian Achenbach for your service and your friendship. You will be greatly missed but will forever be in our fondest memories. Rest in Peace Brother
Susie and Ralph, sending you my deepest condolences on the loss of you son. While I never was fortunate to meet Brian, he certainly led an extraordinary life in his service for our country. My thoughts are with you and your family in this time of grief.
I knew and met Brian when I was at Grissom AFB. He was always smiling, hardworking, nice, and helpful. He was a truly wonderful guy. My most sincere and deepest condolences to his family. God bless you.
Ralph and Susie, please accept my condolences from my family and I. I have some awesome memories of Brian from back in our high school years. Always the person to keep everyone laughing and or lend a helping hand if it was needed. He was truly an amazing person, one that i am honored to call my friend. I will forever remember his smile and laugh. .My thoughts and prayers are with you both and the entire family during this time of grief.
Anytime I needed help or just wanted to chat, Brian loved to talk. I didn’t see him much but when I did he was just an awesome man to talk to. He will be missed very much.
I can’t find the words to express how much Brian impacted me and many others. A professional, a friend, a mentor, and many others. Aircraft 8032 was always about crewing as a family, and Brian was definitely family.
For those that read this, I challenge you to to not only remember the great memories as well as be a friend and mentor to someone. Just like Brian did and would want us to do.
Boom stowed and latched faithful SAC Warrior, until we meet again.
A true friend and a warm crew chief. We had many TDY’s together and a common love of band. Too young to be without him.
He will be missed.
I first met Brian in January 1999 and eventually became his assistance several years later. We had such a time working on our jet getting it to a place we thought it she be. During our time we took our jet through refurb and he spent more time dancing on the flight deck than working on it. He always knew how to pick people up and make them feel good about themselves . Brian had so much compassion for not only the plane but for the people he worked with. He was always trying to make us better and make the workplace better. I grew to confide a lot in Brian and we became as brothers. I will miss you forever, but know that I will eventually meet with you again in the heavenly place. God bless you my friend I will miss you.
Rest easy brother….🙏
Ralph and Susie, my heart has been heavy ever since I learned of Brian’s passing. Although I never got to know him, I know you, and that says it all. I am so sorry for your loss.
I spent time last evening flipping through elementary school yearbooks. Although we have significantly aged and have less hair, I have to say…Brian always had that smile shining on his face. To the Achenbach Family, my condolences for Brian’s passing.
Wow, what a loss, Brian you were the kindest person I’ve ever known. Such a wonderful person with an amazingly contagious laugh. Rest in peace sweet man. I know that you will surely be missed.My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
RIH, Brian. Condolences to family and friends.
Brian’s memory will live on for years to come. In his family, in so many friends, and with so many he mentored and trained in the unit. A man without enemies and a friend to all. Truly called way too early, he leaves a legacy in many ways, and a void that only time will heal. He served our unit, our country and his family as all should. Rest in Peace Brian.
My condolences to the family. I met Achenbach when I started seasonal training in January. When I was lost in finding a trainer he took me under his wing and welcomed me to the Grissom family. He always took time to explain everything from working on the Aircraft to how the Airforce environment worked. He was a person that made me feel like I was family the first time I met him. Such people will never be forgotten. I will never forget the teachings you gave me about the aircraft and about life. Rest in peace brother.
Ralph, Susie, Dale and Wade. Words cannot express my sadness to the loss of your son, brother and my good friend since kindergarten. I have so many great memories from our school days and have enjoyed our visits and talks as we’ve grown older. I know he was a mentor and friend to many and that we shall all miss him. My prayers are with you all. RIP, my friend.