[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. BOBBY JUNKER

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional Navy scientist and civil servant. Dr. Bobby Junker, a 
native of San Antonio, TX, died June 14, 2014 after a long illness. Dr. 
Junker came to the Washington, DC area in 1977 after accepting a 
position with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), where he remained for 
his entire 37 year career. At the time of his retirement in May 2014, 
he served as Department Head for Command, Control, Communications, 
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance for ONR.
  Dr. Junker was a 1965 alum of the University of Southwestern 
Louisiana, as well as the University of Texas at Austin, where he 
received both his Master's degree (1967) and Doctorate in Chemistry 
(1969). Among the numerous awards Dr. Junker received over his 
distinguished career, he has been awarded the Navy's Superior Civilian 
Service Award twice (1985 and 2011), the Presidential Rank of 
Meritorious Executive three times (1989, 1999 and 2008) and the 
Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive once (2003). He was also a 
life member of the American Physical Society, Sigma Xi and Senior 
Executives Association. He is most remembered as a visionary and 
brilliant leader in the field of science and technology. The Chief of 
Naval Research described Dr. Junker as a national treasure, both a 
trusted advisor and a dedicated star in the information sciences 
community.
  More important than this distinguished service and his career honors, 
he was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather to his family as well 
as a leader, advisor and true friend to many. Dr. Junker is survived by 
his wife Ginnie Junker; children Evan Junker, Melissa Depew and Bryce 
Combs; stepchildren Daniel and Andy Katt; grandchildren Megan and Bryan 
Depew, Isabella Combs, and Riley and Holden Katt; and brother Eugene 
Junker.
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Junker's family, as well as 
our continuing gratitude to individuals such as Dr. Junker willing to 
dedicate their lives to honorable service and an exceptional career 
devoted to defending the nation. He is a critical reminder to us all of 
the importance of our civil service workforce. We should never forget 
that while the military defends us all, it is our civil servants who 
work, often unseen and unrecognized, to support and defend our 
military.

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