Henry Rudolph Counihan

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Henry Rudolph Counihan, CDR USN (Ret.) CHARLESTON - Henry Rudolph Counihan, CDR USN, Retired, died at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC on July 31, 2014. The son of William Joseph Counihan and Rose Catherine Seippel Counihan, he was born on March 20, 1925 in Norwalk, Connecticut. Hank spent much of his childhood in St Paul, MN. After graduating high school in 1943, he was accepted in the Naval aviation cadet program at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. Here he met his future wife, Margaret Kinkead Counihan. After receiving his commission and his wings in February, 1946, in Pensacola, FL, Hank served as a carrier pilot and a flight instructor. He was a decorated dive bomber and night pilot, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four stars during the Korean war and a Commendation Medal upon retirement. He served aboard the USS Valley Forge, the Hornet, and the Bon Homme Richard and, as a young officer, made the 11,000th landing on the Boxer. A highlight of his career was the opportunity to share his love of the orient with his family, when he was stationed at Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan in 1961. Hank retired from Naval Air Station Moffett Field in San Jose, California in 1972, where he commanded the Avionics schools. After retirement, Hank attended Cal State University, Hayward, attaining a degree in fine arts. In addition to painting and wood sculpting, he was an avid golfer and bridge player, and the best friend a guy could have. His wife, Margaret, predeceased him in Castro Valley, California, in 2000, after 54 years of marriage. Hank moved to Charleston in December, 2009, to be closer to family. He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Caren Sue and Carl Coslick (Miami FL), Nancy Ann and Michael McKeehan (Charleston SC), and Danny Ray and Pauline Counihan (Grass Valley CA); six grandchildren: Michael Vincent Todd McKeehan (Amy), Calvin Andrew Counihan, Benjamin Daniel Counihan (LaDonna), Catherine Elizabeth Coslick, Paul Alexander Coslick, and Brian David Coslick (Megan); and six great-grandchildren: Elias Ocean Counihan, Haven Donna Counihan, Simeon John-Calvin Counihan, Iris Meridian Counihan, Emma Margaret McKeehan, and Susan Legare McKeehan. Services and burial will be in Lebanon, Indiana, Oak Hill Cemetery. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
Published in Charleston Post & Courier on Aug. 2, 2014
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