Walter J. Kreuscher served as Nebraska’s first official State Airport Engineer. A native of DeWitt, Nebraska, Kreuscher worked in 1942 as lead foreman when the Alliance Air Base was built. After military service during World War II, Kreuscher joined the fledgling Nebraska Department of Aeronautics as an engineer and embarked on extensive airport development. In 1958 he became the head of the Aeronautics Engineering Division.

His thirty-three years with the department were marked by acquiring five surplus army airfields for municipal use; expanding an airport lighting program; installing radio navigation and weather stations across Nebraska; fostering improved hanger construction; and helping author the 1957 Airport Authorities Act, a law that financed future municipal airport development.

back