Jerry Blesch

CAPT Jerry Morgan Blesch, USN, Retired, "crossed the ship's brow" for the final time when he passed away on November 27, 2023, at the age of 85. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Karen Kibler Blesch; his three children David (Linda) Blesch of Dallas, Texas, CDR (Retired) Patrick (Deanna) Blesch of Columbus, Ohio, and Stephanie (Kendra) Blesch Burke of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, two grandsons Samuel Burke and William Burke; and his sister, Joanne Blesch Bootes of Danville, Kentucky.
Jerry was born May 9, 1938, to Albert and Anne Blesch and raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was an active outdoorsman, loved hunting and birds, could identify any tree or flower, and was a community gardener long before it was a thing. He was also devoted to a lifetime of athletics, competitive in any and all sports or games, and he would never let you win. Although he was known and respected for his distinguished military career, his family loved him for his unwavering faith, profound humility, diabolical optimism, unmatched devotion to his family and friends, keen (sometimes inappropriate) sense of humor, and his lifelong love for the "underdog." Jerry lived with integrity and operated at 100% in everything he did. He treated everyone with respect, and he knew no strangers – after meeting him you became an instant "friend."
After graduating from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, in 1956, he attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. At Centre he was active in Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. After a year at Centre, he transferred to the United States Navy Academy to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a Naval Officer. Jerry went on to serve a distinguished thirty-year Navy career, holding many sea and shore assignments and taking his family all over the globe. Jerry was very fortunate to have held numerous command positions- the USS Richard L Page (FFG 5), recognized as the Atlantic Fleet's outstanding ship while under Jerry's command; the USS Puget Sound (AD 38), the U.S Sixth Fleet flag ship home ported in Gaeta, Italy; Destroyer Squadron 25 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during which Jerry served as the on-scene commander during the United States' response to the Soviet downing of Korean Air Lines flight 007 near Japan in 1983. The highlight of Jerry's career was being named Commanding Officer of the USS Wisconsin (BB 64), one of only four battleships in the world, during its recommissioning and service in the Persian Gulf War.
Jerry never slowed down after retiring from the Navy in 1991. He was elected General Secretary, national Chief Executive Officer, of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity in 1995, a role he held for six of the most transformative year's in Beta's history. His visionary leadership set the course for the Fraternity to radically reshape the Beta experience on today's college campuses, as well as guide the largest capital campaign in Greek world history. He served as an alumnus for the United States Naval Academy and Alumni Association Board of Directors in the Admission Matching Program. He was active on the board for his local Salvation Army (and rang that bell!), Habitat for Humanity, and Big Brothers of America, and The Presbyterian Church of Danville, Kentucky, and Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Northern Kentucky. He played golf and tennis into his 80's, still gardening, networking and mentoring.
He was last seen Sunday night before his passing walking Karen to their room, hand in hand.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 22, 2024, at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Park, Kentucky. The family will receive visitors from 3:00 - 5 p.m., followed by a short service in the Sanctuary. Dinner will follow for anyone that would like to roast, toast, or share a story about Jerry.