Juergen Stark of Oaktown, Indiana, and Clarksville, Tennessee passed away on 6 December at the age of 73. Juergen is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Darlene Ivers Stark; his son Eric Stark; his daughter Elizabeth Stark Chamberlain and his son-in-law Ty Chamberlain; and his brother Peter Stark. He also leaves behind his granddaughter Alexa Stark and his grandsons Tyler and Thomas Chamberlain. Juergen was welcomed to heaven by his beloved grandson Tanner, his parents, Wilhelm and Karin Stark, and his brother Ulrich Stark.
Juergen Stark was born in Lubeck, Germany, in 1950 and emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 18 months old. His family became US citizens and eventually settled in the small community of Oaktown, Indiana where Juergen and his two older brothers graduated from North Knox High School. As a young man, Juergen loved baseball and cars and aspired to serve his community as an Indiana State Trooper. He attended Vincennes University where he met the love of his life, Darlene Kay Ivers. They were married 22 December 1970. Over the early years of their marriage, they welcomed two children into their family, Elizabeth and Eric.
Juergen joined the Army in 1970 and initially served in the Artillery career field. He was selected for Undergraduate Helicopter Training and, in 1973, he was qualified to pilot the twin-rotor heavy-lift CH-47 helicopter. After assignments in South Korea, Panama and Fort Hood, he was assessed for and was competitively screened to join the early cadre of the newly established Task Force 160 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1982.
Over the course of the next decade Juergen served his country with distinction, marking several Army Aviation milestones and pioneering Army Special Operations Aviation tactics. He was lead planner and pilot for Operation Mount Hope III, a clandestine operation to obtain a state-of-the art Soviet helicopter in North Africa. He made Army Aviation history during Operation JUST CAUSE as planner and pilot for the first US Army Aircraft to self-deploy to the combat area. After retiring from active duty, Juergen continued to assess and train the next generations of Army Special Operations Aviators for another 13 years. He served as President of the Night Stalkers Association, serving Night Stalkers and their families, surviving family members of our fallen Night Stalkers, and members of the 160th SOAR.
Just before full retirement Darlene and Juergen welcomed the first of their grandchildren. Tanner, Alexa, Tyler, and Thomas brought a new joy to the Stark family and became a focus of their retirement years. Juergen also cultivated a love for golf with a network of friends who helped him explore the country one golf course at a time. True to his nature as an instructor, he volunteered to teach local youth the game of golf and marshalled local youth golf tournaments.
Juergen was a passionate American patriot and his example of service to Nation and commitment to operational excellence inspired both of his children and members of his extended family to military service.
Always ready to make new friends or pass a friendly word, Juergen leaves behind an extended network of family and friends across the country and throughout Clarksville and southern Indiana. There will be a celebration of his life in Clarksville in the coming week and he will be interred with family in Indiana in a family ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Night Stalkers Association. https://www.nsa160.com/