May 31, 1937 – July 10, 2025
Carl W. Reddel, 88, a retired Air Force brigadier general and resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.
During his 36-year Air Force career, Reddel held numerous positions in various locations around the world. He entered the Air Force as a Distinguished Graduate of Officer Training School in 1962. His first assignment was to Toul-Rosières Air Base, France, where he was Chief of Administrative Services for a communications group. In his off-time, he taught Russian and Soviet history for the University of Maryland and studied at the Université de Nancy. In 1967 he began the first of four assignments to the Air Force Academy’s Department of History, 1967-1968, 1971-1976, 1977-1981, and finally Permanent Professor and Department Head of History 1982-1999.
His widely traveled career included a tour in Vietnam in 1968, as well as serving as the first active-duty officer on the official educational exchange with the Soviet Union at Moscow State University (1975). He was assigned by the Air Force as the liaison officer to the Western world’s leading Soviet military historian at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (1981-1982), and completed a research associateship at the National Air and Space Museum (1994), as well as an assignment in Turkey. He also reestablished and chaired the Academy’s Area Studies Program. Reddel is a Russian and Soviet scholar and author of numerous publications and presentations. From 1988-1991, he provided outstanding service to the nation as Team Chief for the On-Site Inspection Agency, leading missile destruction teams and performing inspections in the Soviet Union to ensure compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. He was a member of Rotary International and supported a number of public health initiatives in various countries.
After his Air Force retirement, he had a second career building The Eisenhower Memorial in Washington D.C. Reddel became President and CEO of the Eisenhower World Affairs Institute in 1999-2000, and a Fellow in the Center for Public Service at Gettysburg College. From 2001-2021, he served as Executive Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, charged by Congress with establishing a national, permanent memorial to the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in World War II and the 34th President. The memorial was dedicated on September 17, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
Reddel was born in Gurley, Nebraska, in 1937, to Walter and Friedora Reddel. He attended Drake University on a track scholarship and earned his bachelor’s degree in history and education in 1959. He was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to attend Syracuse University and a Ford Foundation Fellowship to complete his master’s degree in Russian studies in 1961. He received his doctorate in 1973 from Indiana University.
Reddel is survived by his wife of 62 years of marriage, Colette Marie Antoinette Reddel, and his two sons: Eric W. Reddel (Lisa M. Reddel) of Fairfax, Virginia, and Damien O. Reddel (Dawn M. Reddel) of Centennial, Colorado. He is also survived by one brother, Stan Reddel (Paulette Reddel) of Melrose Park, Illinois; and two sisters: Karen Faye Luebbe (Richard Luebbe) of Oxford, Ohio, and Mary Lou Wagoner of Clarinda, Iowa. His brothers, Gene and Mark, preceded him in death. Carl Reddel will be buried at the Air Force Academy.
Thank you to our family and friends for your support and love through so many years.
My sincere condolences to the family. His life’s legacy was no small task, quite impressive to say the least. May he rest in peace and send many signs of love to his family in daily life moments.
The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for BGen Reddel’s 36 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or raobuckley@gmail.com. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
As the eldest of 6 children of a Lutheran school teacher and his devout wife, Carl first learned, and then lived by, Micah 6:8: Seek Justice, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly.
My first assignment as an instructor at the Air Force Academy was from 1991 to 1994, and I remember General Riddel with great respect and fondness. He was truly a gentleman—gracious, composed and quietly strong. A role model in every sense. Among the many outstanding Permanent Professors during that time, he stood out as one of the very best.
My sincere condolences to the entire Riddel family.
I express my heartfelt condolences on Carl Redell’s passing. I remain ever grateful for General Redell’s efforts in networking faculty members across various Academy departments to develop foreign language expertise and cultural understanding. As a first assignment instructor of political science, I was one of many company grade officers who benefited from his outreach and initiative. His legacy lives on.
All blessings to the family on your loss.May God support you and restore in you the joy of salvation. Carl was more than a colleague but a partner in achieving the Academy mission
Doug Murray
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Carl was a great friend to Darlene and I at North Colorado Springs Rotary club before he traveled East. I always enjoyed our history through his teachings.
I am so sorry to hear about Carl’s passing. He was a fine example of a life well lived. My husband, Al, taught your Son Eric trumpet lessons for a couple of years in the late ’80’s I believe. Al also worked on a music history project with Gen Reddel about that same time at the Air Force Academy. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Thoughts and Prayers,
Paula Eberhardt (Al’s widow)
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family of Brigadier General Carl Reddel. I served under General Reddel’s command for almost ten years as a member of the History Department at the US Air Force Academy. He was a true soldier-scholar and an internationally known and respected expert on Russian/Soviet military affairs. No less important, in his own life and career General Reddel exemplified military profiessionalism. I shall always count it a great privilege to have served under his leadership.
Carl and I served many years together in the Humanities Division, having neighboring offfices, and great friendship. I long admired his masterful skill at recruiting, monitoring, and promoting his staff. The Permanent Professoriate has lost a great star; My condolences to Colette and the rest of the family.
I well recall the years we taught together in Fairchild Hall and have wonderful memories of the example Carl always set for his friends and colleagues. His mentorship for many of us, as we taught the Air Force’s future leaders, was significant and his legacy at DFH will continue to provide inspiration for USAFA’s history majors for many years in the future.
Carol and I send our prayers to Collette and Carl’s family.
Warm regards
Don Nelson (DFH 1967-1973)
I served under Gen Reddel 1994-98 including a stint as his Exec. He was compassionate and kind leader and gentleman. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to Collette and his family
As Carl and Colette well know, I am never at a loss for words-until now. Carl and I were “running buddies” during my four years in DFH. During those years we enjoyed each others company during long and sometimes exhausting runs. Our runs included chatting about everything under the Sun. It didn’t take long for me to realize that he was a genuine and decent man and above all “A True Professional.”
My heartfelt condolences to Colette and the family. I feel blessed to have had Carl in my life as a true and caring friend.
Chris and I were so sad to hear of Gen Reddel’s passing. I was very proud to have worked for him in DFH as the last RAF Exchange Officer from 1991-1994. Our heartfelt condolences to the family.
Brigitte and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Colette and General Reddell’s sons on their loss. General Reddell left a lasting legacy in the Department of History for several generations of graduates and faculty. He was my faculty advisor as a cadet and my boss later at DFH. Rest in peace.