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<i>Jens Curtis Egeland </i><font size="2">is remembered as God loving, a good husband, father, leader, and the strong blond Norwegian-American lumberjack of our class! Born in Tacoma, WA, to Mae Dora Luke and Jens Frederick Egeland, Jens grew up in Mt. Rainier’s shadow in Elbe, WA. Jens was proud of his dad’s WWII service and commitment to country. A patriotic young boy, Jens would salute the convoys from Fort Lewis that passed by his home. While still at Morton High School in WA, Jens wanted to enlist for Vietnam, but his parents would not grant permission. A friend convinced Jens to direct his efforts towards the service academies. To prepare, Jens achieved good grades, was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and played varsity football, basketball, and track. Jens received appointments to the Coast Guard and Military Academies. </font></p>
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<font size="2">Directly after graduation, Jens was sworn in to the Class of 1978 at West Point on Jul 8, 1974, along with his new classmates. During "Beast" Jens remained calm in the face of everything demanded of him. The big man with the unflappable attitude drove the firsties crazy—they couldn’t rattle him! As we transitioned into the academic year, Jens was assigned to Company H-1, arguably the toughest company for "bean heads." Jens kept his composure and inspired classmates to endure. Academics were tough. Jens played football plebe year, which left him exhausted in the evenings from daily practice. Jens struggled and couldn’t even maintain his weight on corps squad tables. Jens left the gridiron to better balance the academic and physical demands of the long Academy days. </font></p>
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<font size="2">The following events, though remarkable, were relayed by several classmates. Jens passion for strength training went beyond the norm. He would lift weights every night rattling the universal with his repetitions. Jens made a 300-pound bench press look as easy as pushing a door open. Classmates that would workout with Jens often were sick to their stomachs if they tried to keep pace with him. One night after Taps, Jens snuck down to the basement to lift. In a hurry to squeeze in a workout he maxed out the machine, so aggressively performing his reps he literally tore the bolts holding down the machine out of the concrete! Jens also earned a special reputation as a bowler. On one occasion the lane manager told Jens to slow down his approach because the bowling ball was bouncing off the back wall. Jens said that he did not know how to bowl and actually did not have an approach. The manager didn’t believe Jens and asked him to demonstrate. Jens picked up a 16 pound ball, walked to the line, stopped, and lofted the ball. The ball hit the lane a few feet in front of the head pin 60 feet away, knocked the pins down, and violently bounced off the wall. The wide-eyed manager mumbled, shook his head in disbelief, walked away, and left Jens to bowl. His athleticism did not stop there. Jens’s power was channeled into the intercollegiate track and field events of hammer, discus, and shot, earning Jens his Large A. </font></p>
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<font size="2">During summer training prior to cow year, Jens was in the first detail to attend jump school. The goal for the Class of 1978 was 100 percent graduation. Unfortunately, Jens badly hurt his foot on his next-to-last jump. Rather than drop out, Jens tightly laced his boot and made his final jump to ensure we met our goal. Jens later determined that his foot was broken. It was a selfless act, but one with lingering consequences. Throughout the rest of his life Jens would undergo several surgeries, bone grafts, and wear a brace. Jens joined his classmates on active duty, serving as a Quartermaster. Proud and Great!</font></p>
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<font size="2">Soon after graduation Jens attended a classmate’s wedding at West Point. At the reception in November 1978, Jens seated himself next to a lovely young lady who caught his attention, Miss Jean Martin of Hempstead, NY. Jens decided after their first date that he would marry Jean but somehow managed to wait until their fifth date before he proposed. Although Jens had to complete Basic Course and report to his first assignment without his betrothed, he and Jean continued to strengthen their relationship. Jens’s complete commitment to Jean inspired his conversion to Roman Catholicism. Jean and Jens were married April 19, 1980. The Egelands were totally united through their love of God. The fruit of their union brought sons Erik and Paul and daughter Laura into their family. </font></p>
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<font size="2">When he resigned from active duty in March 1984, the Jens Egeland family made their home in Burke, VA. Jens continued to serve in the Army Reserves even as he began his consulting career. Jens loved God and he loved his family. There is no better example of a life lived in devotion to our Lord and as a loving and caring husband, father, and Christian leader to his family. </font></p>
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<font size="2">Ironically, this strong, young, fitness conscious man was stricken with deadly lung cancer. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma just days after his daughter’s first birthday, the initial prognosis gave Jens just six weeks to live. However, treatment went better than expected. Jens’s spirit and faith remained steadfast even as his bodily strength waned. The doctors were amazed at the good nature and lively spirit he demonstrated throughout his fight with this disease. Jens would tell his children that "you don’t get to pick your cross in life but you do choose how to carry it," a testament of our friend’s fortitude and faith. Jens’s strong will and determination to survive allowed him to celebrate his daughter’s third birthday with her. Jens and Jean were even able to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary together. The Lord called our classmate to Heaven on Apr 30, 2000. "Be Thou at Peace" Jens Egeland; we salute you.</font></p>
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<font size="2"><i>— Classmates</i></font></p>