John Douglas Wieben

86, died Sunday, August 5, 2007 at home after a long illness. He was born at home on December 12, 1920 in Seacaucus, NJ.He graduated from A.J. Demarest High School in 1937 and spent some time working in the financial district of New York City before he joined the Army on his birthday in 1939.He had a distinguished 30 year career as an Army Engineer, including service in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1945, upon his return from the war, he married his one true sweetheart from high school, Helen Dreier. After tours in France, Colorado, Japan, Missouri, Virginia, Ft. Lewis, Washington, and California, his facility with languages and ability to work with people from all backgrounds led to a diplomatic posting as Chief of the U.S. Mission to Senegal in West Africa. His work in that position led to his being awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal.Following additional language training, he also served as the U.S. Army attaché to Israel, arriving immediately after the Six Day War in 1967. During this period, he worked with the highest leadership in the Israeli army to strengthen their defenses. That work earned him the Legion of Merit.He retired from the Army in 1969 and moved to Bainbridge in 1985, where he was a long-time member of the Wing Point Golf & Country Club. Saying that he was one of the the few people who could say that they were retired longer than they worked, he continued to enjoy cigars, good wine, travel, golf, reading and gardening until well into his 80s.He is survived by his wife, Helen, and two sons, John and Eric, all of whom benefited from accompanying him around the globe.Services will be private.Arrangements by Cook Family Funeral Home.