ALCOAST 247/08
COMDTNOTE 5360
SUBJ: DEATH OF CG SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE OFFICER
1.  I AM SAD TO REPORT THE PASSING OF MR. GERARD (JERRY) YOEST,
SES, RETIRED, ON 12 MAY 2008 IN ALEXANDRIA, VA.  HE WAS 61 YEARS
OLD.
2.  JERRY YOEST WAS THE COAST GUARDS DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR TO THE COMMANDANT PRIOR TO
RETIRING IN 2004.  HE LED A LIFE DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SERVICE,
SERVING THE COAST GUARD AND NATION IN MANY CAPACITIES, INCLUDING
WORK AT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF
MERCHANT SHIPPING, AND AS A CAPTAIN IN THE MARINE CORPS.  HE SERVED
WITH DISTINCTION THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER AND WAS KNOWN FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COMMUNITY, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, AND IN OUR CIVILIAN WORKFORCE.
3.  AS OUR DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, HE WAS ON THE
FOREFRONT OF THE MODEL MARITIME CODE, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR MUCH
OF OUR INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND ENGAGEMENT TODAY.  HE AUTHORED
AND NEGOTIATED NUMEROUS BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS, AND
HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED WITH AWARDS FOR ENHANCING AVIATION SAFETY AND
SECURITY WORLDWIDE, AS WELL AS FOR HIS WORK WITH MINORITY PROGRAMS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AWARDED HIM A SILVER MEDAL FOR HIS
EFFORTS FOLLOWING THE ACHILLE LAURO HIJACKING.  HIS WORK GARNERED
THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF HIS PEERS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME
ORGANIZATION.   HE WAS ALSO A CHAMPION FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND
ADVOCATED FOR APPROPRIATE BENEFITS AND RECOGNITION FOR CIVILIAN
MEMBERS OF OUR WORKFORCE AS WELL AS RETIREES.
4.  THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, HE PUT SERVICE FIRST, TO HIS NATION, AND
TO HIS COMMUNITY.  HE LEAVES A TREMENDOUS LEGACY AND WILL LONG BE
REMEMBERED FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.
5.  HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, MS. RAE ELLEN OHAIR.  THE FAMILY
WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS AT THE CHARLES NIED FUNERAL HOME (7441
WASHINGTON ST., PITTSBURGH, PA, PH 412-271-0345) FROM 2 P.M. TO 4
P.M. AND FROM 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY, 30 MAY.  A MEMORIAL
SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 718 FRANKLIN
AVE., PITTSBURGH, PA AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY, 31 MAY, FOLLOWED
IMMEDIATELY BY INTERMENT AT CALVARY CEMETERY.  A LUNCHEON IN
CELEBRATION OF MR. YOESTS LIFE WILL FOLLOW.  PLEASE RSVP TO VJRRPEA
(AT)AOL.COM.
6.  IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS DONATIONS TO DOCTORS
WITHOUT BORDERS OR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
7. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.