Michael H. PODMENIK

HAMPTON - Michael Henry Podmenik, 69, of Hampton, Va., passed away Saturday, Dec. 5, in Jamaica, while en route to Colombia, South America, where he intended to spend the holidays with friends.
Known by many simply as Mike or Pod, he was born to Lily Ruth (Adams) and Henry Ernest Podmenik on Nov. 24, 1940, in Clearfield, Pa. In his 69 year journey, Pod lived life to the fullest and touched the lives of many. His love of music began in the 7th grade and led him to pursue music as his career path through the Army. Pod enlisted with the Army on June 21, 1958, and completed his basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. From there he attended the U.S. Naval School of Music Army Element of Washington D.C. He went on to serve with the 8th Army and First division Calvary Bands in Korea, the 4th Army Band in Houston, Texas, the 264th Army Band in Hawaii, the 15th Army Band in Georgia, the 60th Army Band in Louisiana, the 3rd Infantry Division Band of Germany, the 1st Calvary Division Band of Vietnam, and the U.S. Continental Army Band of Fort Monroe, Va. Pod also did three separate tours of duty in New York City and worked with the West Point Military Academy. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major in 1979. While with the U.S. Continental Army Band he was the Senior Noncommissioned Officer and Enlisted Bandleader. In service, Pod earned the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 10 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Pod retired after more than 30 years of service with the Army and worked as the head of the Auto Craft Shop on Fort Monroe for an additional seven years.
Pod was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), Disabled Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), American Legion, and the Association of Retired Military Musicians.
Pod is survived by his daughters, Molly Parker, Wendy Darugar, and Christy Duncan; six grandchildren; a sister, Sharon Hilton; and a brother, Edward Podmenik; and a cousin, Patrick Stone.
Preceding Pod in death are his wife, Nancy Arendall Podmenik; and his parents, Lily and Henry.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 8, at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Centurion on Fort Monroe, Hampton, Va. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.