It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of Heidrun (Heidi) Gruetzmacher, who passed away on 22 September 2013 due to cancer.  She was laid to rest in the Ruheforst in Waldalgesheim, Germany, on 27 September.  Heidi was the second recipient of the Career Claims Award, which she received at the USAREUR Claims CLE in 2010.  Heidi retired in March 2008 with over 35 years of dedicated federal service.

Born in East Germany in 1947, Heidi moved to West Germany with her parents in 1957, and settled in Kassel.  She began working for the U.S. Forces there in 1971 as a Transportation Clerk. 

In August 1988, Heidi assumed new duties as Supervisory Claims Examiner in Bad Kreuznach, an office that later transferred to Wiesbaden.  Under Heidi’s leadership, the Wiesbaden Claims Office repeatedly won the TJAG Excellence in Claims Award, earning Heidi the reputation as an exceptional supervisory claims examiner.

Heidi is survived by her husband, Albert Merrida, and two children, Raphael (Ray) and Melanie. 

Please keep Heidi’s family in your thoughts and prayers at this most difficult of times.

FLORA D. DARPINO
LTG, USA
The Judge Advocate General