SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2015 SESSION

15104492D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 775
Offered February 6, 2015
Celebrating the life of Francis M. Niederkofler.
----------
Patrons-- Howell; Senator: Stosch
----------

WHEREAS, Francis M. Niederkofler, a proud veteran who played a crucial role in the D-Day invasion during World War II and an admired member of the Fredericksburg community, died on January 26, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Butler, Pennsylvania, Francis “Frank” M. Niederkofler joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to his country during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Frank Niederkofler served in the 28th Infantry Division of the United States Army through five campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, the Ardennes Forest, and the Rhineland; and

WHEREAS, serving as a radioman during the D-Day landings at Normandy, a turning point in the war and one of the defining moments of the 20th century, Frank Niederkofler relayed important information to help the operation succeed; and

WHEREAS, decorated for his valorous actions during the war, Frank Niederkofler earned a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the French Normandy Medal; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable discharge, Frank Niederkofler enjoyed a long career as an engineer in Washington, D.C.; he and his wife moved to a cabin on the Cacapon River near Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, after his well-earned retirement in 1989; and

WHEREAS, an avid basketball player, Frank Niederkofler supported the youth of the community as a basketball coach for more than 60 years, and he won a silver medal in basketball in the Senior Olympics; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, Frank Niederkofler relocated to Fredericksburg to be closer to his daughter’s family; he had most recently lived in the Hughes Home, where he spread joy to fellow residents and staff with his sense of humor and love of music; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Betty, and one son, David, Frank Niederkofler will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Mark and Mary Beth, and their families and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Francis M. Niederkofler; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Francis M. Niederkofler as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.