In memory of Kyle Wagner

In Memory of Kyle Wagner

Jan. 16, 1983-May 4, 2002

Kyle, a Jayhawk Forever

Kyle was a student at Saint Joseph Catholic and took Spanish 1 and 2 from Mr. Salvo. A great student and an incredible young man. ¡Kyle! Yo sé que estás con los angeles en el cielo infinito de Dios, dando alegria y ayundando a todos como lo hacías aquí.

Señor Salvo

Click on the pictures to see them full side(Click here for Air Force Academy Kyle's program)

Kyle's first trip to his family's cabin in northern Wisconsin was when he was just 6 months old. From that day on, he was addicted to life in the Northwoods. He loved the peaceful nature of the cabin and Pine Lake, and often said he would like to live there. Kyle spent much of his time fishing with his Grandpa and his brother, Kurt. Watching the eagles soar overhead while waiting for a nibble was like heaven for Kyle.

Kyle's first trip to his family's cabin in northern Wisconsin was when he was just 6 months old. From that day on, he was addicted to life in the Northwoods. He loved the peaceful nature of the cabin and Pine Lake, and often said he would like to live there. Kyle spent much of his time fishing with his Grandpa and his brother, Kurt. Watching the eagles soar overhead while waiting for a nibble was like heaven for Kyle.

Kyle's first golf lesson was at the young age of 4 while visiting his grandparents in Florida. He even had a 'chip-in' from a few yards off the green on that day. That's all it took to get him excited about golf, and Grandpa now had a new golfing partner. Kyle also began his prized golf ball collection at that time. Golf balls with logos became very valuable to Kyle, and that's all he wanted for a souvenir on any future family vacation. Five golf ball racks holding 72 golf balls each hang in his bedroom, and that's only because the other 1,000+ won't fit! Eventually, Kyle became a member of the SJCHS golf team followed by the Franklin High School Varsity golf team. Kyle's Franklin High School golf coach tells of an opposing school's golf coach who approached him following a golf match to tell him how much his players enjoyed playing against Kyle because Kyle was always encouraging everyone he played with OR against. It didn't matter to Kyle - he set the example for good sportsmanship.

Kyle was in 6th grade when he skied for the first time in Wisconsin. When he found out his family was moving to Utah, he could not wait to ski on "real mountains". When his family moved back to Wisconsin he skied occasionally, but skiing was never the same for him until he began life has an Academy Cadet in Colorado Springs in 2001. He took advantage of every bus trip to the mountains the Academy offered, and was able to ski at Vail, Steamboat, Keystone, and his favorite, Breckenridge.

Kyle was a loyal student of history, particularly the Civil War. His parents have been told since he was a middle school student that Kyle could have easily taught any history class he was a student in. That held true throughout high school as well as at the U. S. Air Force Academy. His knowledge of history is probably due to the fact that he could be found reading history books beginning in Kindergarten. Saturday mornings were not cartoon mornings for Kyle - instead, he chose to read all he could about the Civil War at that young age. He was passionate about every detail. Kyle was the first to volunteer to serve as a 'model' at Gettysburg when his family was on a Civil War Battlefield tour (see photo). On his last trip home from the Academy (spring break, 2002), he went for a walk with his mom and they discussed possible majors for Kyle to pursue at the Academy. The only real decision to be made was which area of history he would choose to major in: U.S. or military.
Everyone who knew Kyle, knew that he LOVED his Green Bay Packers! There was no question about it, he loved everything they stood for: sportsmanship, Wisconsin, discipline, teamwork, endurance, pride, persistence, and the all-powerful Cheesehead! Go team!

One of Kyle's all-time favorite things to do for rest and relaxation was to read. From little on, reading was the way he began and ended each day. Kyle could be found reading in the hammock at the cabin, in the car, while eating a meal or snack, waiting for an appointment, in his bed, on the couch . . . basically anywhere and anytime he had a free moment. Kyle's reading interests were quite varied; some of his favorites included: history (particularly the Civil War), historical fiction, Calvin and Hobbes, Shakespeare, detective stories, sports magazines, frontier sagas, ghost stories, and, on a regular basis, the Bible.

Kyle was a dedicated Roman Catholic and proud of it! Kyle could always be found practicing his faith with a great sense of humility. He served as a lector, altar server, and church musician. He played the role of Joseph in the Christmas pageant. He volunteered regularly at local food pantries and for the Salvation Army. Kyle generously gave of his time, talent, and treasure, and never expected anything in return. After receiving a one hundred dollar bill as a Confirmation gift and being told he could do anything he wanted with it, Kyle immediately handed it over to a priest at his church because, in his words, "The church needs it more than I do." Recently, a collection was being taken at the Academy for a young Colorado Springs child with leukemia. Kyle emptied his wallet which contained about $80.00 at that time. His fellow cadets asked him how he intended to get by for the next several weeks since they weren't supposed to get paid for two more weeks. Kyle replied, "No big deal, it's only money." Kyle, his brother Kurt, and their mom prayed a particular prayer nightly since Kyle was born. That prayer poster hung on Kyle's closet door since he was born in 1983. It was the first thing he wanted mailed to him when he was allowed to have a few extra things at the Academy. When his family arrived in Kyle's dorm room two days after he died, they found that prayer poster taped to the bottom of the bunk above his so that when he lied in his bed at night, he looked directly at it. Kyle carried a cross in his pocket daily since he was a little boy, along with his great grandma's rosary, and a guardian angel coin from his mom; items which were found in his pocket the morning he died. Kyle actively participated in the Mass, singing praises to God whether he was singing in a choir or sitting with his family. He received the sacrament of Holy Communion regularly. Kyle also received the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly because it was important to him. Kyle had an unquestioning faith in God, and in a conversation he had with his mom after 9/11, he told her that he was not afraid to die. According to Kyle, everyone should always be ready to die, and that's probably why he lived the kind of life he did.

Music provided peace and joy, as well as a sense of discipline for Kyle. He began taking piano lessons at the age of four, and added trumpet lessons to his schedule at the age of 11. He sang in church choirs as well as the SJCHS choir. Kyle and his mom spent many hours playing piano duets, and Kyle and his brother, Kurt, challenged each other with a variety of trumpet duets. He was also able to sing in the Catholic Choir at the U. S. Air Force Academy. Music was an important part of his life, and he had the ability to bring joy to others through his musical talent.

Kyle's senior year of high school at Franklin Public High School in Wisconsin was, in his words, "just a stepping stone" to where he really wanted to be in life: the United States Air Force Academy. Kyle made the most of his years in high school by maintaining outstanding grades, playing on the Varsity basketball and golf teams, playing in the jazz band and wind ensemble, and serving in various student leadership positions. (The photos in this attachment are Kyle's senior pictures.)

The growing up years: left to right, top row, Kyle, one year old and two years old; left to right, bottom row, Kyle, three years old, four years old, five years old.

When Kyle received word of his United States Air Force Academy appointment in January, 2001, he immediately withdrew all other college applications since his dream had come true. He was Wisconsin Congressman Gerald Kleczka's principle nominee to the Academy, and had also received nominations from Wisconsin Senators Kohl and Feingold. Kyle loved everything the Academy stood for, and anxiously looked forward to everything it had to offer him. He was also anxious to serve his country in any way he could. During Basic Cadet training, Kyle maintained his typical good attitude. When his mom asked him what he got in trouble for most often, Kyle responded, "Smiling." He maintained a flawless record, and was awarded 24 prop and wings pins which are presented by upper-class cadets during Recognition to first year cadets in honor of their accomplishments.

One of Kyle's Academy instructors mailed an interest survey Kyle had completed at the start of the 2001-02 academic year to Kyle's family. His instructor was particularly impressed with Kyle's response to the first question on the survey: "What's the most important thing in your life?" Kyle's answer was, "my family." Aside from Kyle's obviously strong faith, his family is clearly the most important thing to him. This was quite evident simply by the way Kyle lived his life. Kyle's best friend is his brother, Kurt, and Kurt's best friend is his brother, Kyle. As young boys, sibling rivalry was basically non-existent. They had a mutual respect and love for each other that is matched by none. They enjoyed spending time together, whether it be at the cabin, on the basketball court, the golf course, or just at home hangin' out. Academy cadets develop relationships with people from around the world. Kyle was given several opportunities to travel to a variety of places with fellow Cadets during spring break, 2002. Kyle chose to come home to Wisconsin. When his uncle asked him why he didn't take advantage of the many opportunities presented to him, Kyle responded, "Because it's important to me to be with my family." (The large photo on this attachment was taken at the Milwaukee Airport on the day Kyle arrived home for spring break, 3/22/02. All photos on this page are of Kyle and Kurt.)

Kyle's love of basketball began at the Sheboygan, Wisconsin YMCA as a 'Mighty Mite' when Kyle was in Kindergarten. Basketball continued to be a significant part of Kyle's life from that year forward. Being part of a team was important to him, and Kyle was a team player by every definition of the word. While attending Holy Name Middle School in Sheboygan, Kyle was a member of the Holy Name Hawks. Following that, Kyle was a SJCHS Jayhawk, and ended his high school basketball career as a Franklin High School Saber. Kyle also played intramural basketball at the Air Force Academy.

Kyle's first trip to his family's cabin in northern Wisconsin was when he was just 6 months old. From that day on, he was addicted to life in the Northwoods. He loved the peaceful nature of the cabin and Pine Lake, and often said he would like to live there. Kyle spent much of his time fishing with his Grandpa and his brother, Kurt. Watching the eagles soar overhead while waiting for a nibble was like heaven for Kyle.
Kyle's first trip to his family's cabin in northern Wisconsin was when he was just 6 months old. From that day on, he was addicted to life in the Northwoods. He loved the peaceful nature of the cabin and Pine Lake, and often said he would like to live there. Kyle spent much of his time fishing with his Grandpa and his brother, Kurt. Watching the eagles soar overhead while waiting for a nibble was like heaven for Kyle.
Kyle's first golf lesson was at the young age of 4 while visiting his grandparents in Florida. He even had a 'chip-in' from a few yards off the green on that day. That's all it took to get him excited about golf, and Grandpa now had a new golfing partner. Kyle also began his prized golf ball collection at that time. Golf balls with logos became very valuable to Kyle, and that's all he wanted for a souvenir on any future family vacation. Five golf ball racks holding 72 golf balls each hang in his bedroom, and that's only because the other 1,000+ won't fit! Eventually, Kyle became a member of the SJCHS golf team followed by the Franklin High School Varsity golf team. Kyle's Franklin High School golf coach tells of an opposing school's golf coach who approached him following a golf match to tell him how much his players enjoyed playing against Kyle because Kyle was always encouraging everyone he played with OR against. It didn't matter to Kyle - he set the example for good sportsmanship.
Kyle was in 6th grade when he skied for the first time in Wisconsin. When he found out his family was moving to Utah, he could not wait to ski on "real mountains". When his family moved back to Wisconsin he skied occasionally, but skiing was never the same for him until he began life has an Academy Cadet in Colorado Springs in 2001. He took advantage of every bus trip to the mountains the Academy offered, and was able to ski at Vail, Steamboat, Keystone, and his favorite, Breckenridge.
Kyle was a loyal student of history, particularly the Civil War. His parents have been told since he was a middle school student that Kyle could have easily taught any history class he was a student in. That held true throughout high school as well as at the U. S. Air Force Academy. His knowledge of history is probably due to the fact that he could be found reading history books beginning in Kindergarten. Saturday mornings were not cartoon mornings for Kyle - instead, he chose to read all he could about the Civil War at that young age. He was passionate about every detail. Kyle was the first to volunteer to serve as a 'model' at Gettysburg when his family was on a Civil War Battlefield tour (see photo). On his last trip home from the Academy (spring break, 2002), he went for a walk with his mom and they discussed possible majors for Kyle to pursue at the Academy. The only real decision to be made was which area of history he would choose to major in: U.S. or military. Everyone who knew Kyle, knew that he LOVED his Green Bay Packers! There was no question about it, he loved everything they stood for: sportsmanship, Wisconsin, discipline, teamwork, endurance, pride, persistence, and the all-powerful Cheesehead! Go team!
One of Kyle's all-time favorite things to do for rest and relaxation was to read. From little on, reading was the way he began and ended each day. Kyle could be found reading in the hammock at the cabin, in the car, while eating a meal or snack, waiting for an appointment, in his bed, on the couch . . . basically anywhere and anytime he had a free moment. Kyle's reading interests were quite varied; some of his favorites included: history (particularly the Civil War), historical fiction, Calvin and Hobbes, Shakespeare, detective stories, sports magazines, frontier sagas, ghost stories, and, on a regular basis, the Bible.
Kyle was a dedicated Roman Catholic and proud of it! Kyle could always be found practicing his faith with a great sense of humility. He served as a lector, altar server, and church musician. He played the role of Joseph in the Christmas pageant. He volunteered regularly at local food pantries and for the Salvation Army. Kyle generously gave of his time, talent, and treasure, and never expected anything in return. After receiving a one hundred dollar bill as a Confirmation gift and being told he could do anything he wanted with it, Kyle immediately handed it over to a priest at his church because, in his words, "The church needs it more than I do." Recently, a collection was being taken at the Academy for a young Colorado Springs child with leukemia. Kyle emptied his wallet which contained about $80.00 at that time. His fellow cadets asked him how he intended to get by for the next several weeks since they weren't supposed to get paid for two more weeks. Kyle replied, "No big deal, it's only money." Kyle, his brother Kurt, and their mom prayed a particular prayer nightly since Kyle was born. That prayer poster hung on Kyle's closet door since he was born in 1983. It was the first thing he wanted mailed to him when he was allowed to have a few extra things at the Academy. When his family arrived in Kyle's dorm room two days after he died, they found that prayer poster taped to the bottom of the bunk above his so that when he lied in his bed at night, he looked directly at it. Kyle carried a cross in his pocket daily since he was a little boy, along with his great grandma's rosary, and a guardian angel coin from his mom; items which were found in his pocket the morning he died. Kyle actively participated in the Mass, singing praises to God whether he was singing in a choir or sitting with his family. He received the sacrament of Holy Communion regularly. Kyle also received the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly because it was important to him. Kyle had an unquestioning faith in God, and in a conversation he had with his mom after 9/11, he told her that he was not afraid to die. According to Kyle, everyone should always be ready to die, and that's probably why he lived the kind of life he did.
Music provided peace and joy, as well as a sense of discipline for Kyle. He began taking piano lessons at the age of four, and added trumpet lessons to his schedule at the age of 11. He sang in church choirs as well as the SJCHS choir. Kyle and his mom spent many hours playing piano duets, and Kyle and his brother, Kurt, challenged each other with a variety of trumpet duets. He was also able to sing in the Catholic Choir at the U. S. Air Force Academy. Music was an important part of his life, and he had the ability to bring joy to others through his musical talent.
Kyle's senior year of high school at Franklin Public High School in Wisconsin was, in his words, "just a stepping stone" to where he really wanted to be in life: the United States Air Force Academy. Kyle made the most of his years in high school by maintaining outstanding grades, playing on the Varsity basketball and golf teams, playing in the jazz band and wind ensemble, and serving in various student leadership positions. (The photos in this attachment are Kyle's senior pictures.)
The growing up years: left to right, top row, Kyle, one year old and two years old; left to right, bottom row, Kyle, three years old, four years old, five years old.
When Kyle received word of his United States Air Force Academy appointment in January, 2001, he immediately withdrew all other college applications since his dream had come true. He was Wisconsin Congressman Gerald Kleczka's principle nominee to the Academy, and had also received nominations from Wisconsin Senators Kohl and Feingold. Kyle loved everything the Academy stood for, and anxiously looked forward to everything it had to offer him. He was also anxious to serve his country in any way he could. During Basic Cadet training, Kyle maintained his typical good attitude. When his mom asked him what he got in trouble for most often, Kyle responded, "Smiling." He maintained a flawless record, and was awarded 24 prop and wings pins which are presented by upper-class cadets during Recognition to first year cadets in honor of their accomplishments.
One of Kyle's Academy instructors mailed an interest survey Kyle had completed at the start of the 2001-02 academic year to Kyle's family. His instructor was particularly impressed with Kyle's response to the first question on the survey: "What's the most important thing in your life?" Kyle's answer was, "my family." Aside from Kyle's obviously strong faith, his family is clearly the most important thing to him. This was quite evident simply by the way Kyle lived his life. Kyle's best friend is his brother, Kurt, and Kurt's best friend is his brother, Kyle. As young boys, sibling rivalry was basically non-existent. They had a mutual respect and love for each other that is matched by none. They enjoyed spending time together, whether it be at the cabin, on the basketball court, the golf course, or just at home hangin' out. Academy cadets develop relationships with people from around the world. Kyle was given several opportunities to travel to a variety of places with fellow Cadets during spring break, 2002. Kyle chose to come home to Wisconsin. When his uncle asked him why he didn't take advantage of the many opportunities presented to him, Kyle responded, "Because it's important to me to be with my family." (The large photo on this attachment was taken at the Milwaukee Airport on the day Kyle arrived home for spring break, 3/22/02. All photos on this page are of Kyle and Kurt.)
Kyle's love of basketball began at the Sheboygan, Wisconsin YMCA as a 'Mighty Mite' when Kyle was in Kindergarten. Basketball continued to be a significant part of Kyle's life from that year forward. Being part of a team was important to him, and Kyle was a team player by every definition of the word. While attending Holy Name Middle School in Sheboygan, Kyle was a member of the Holy Name Hawks. Following that, Kyle was a SJCHS Jayhawk, and ended his high school basketball career as a Franklin High School Saber. Kyle also played intramural basketball at the Air Force Academy.