We’re the Lucky ones, for having had the honor of knowing Robert “Lucky” Luedke, 1923-2008

Lucky has been coming to our auctions for years. He was a regular fixture who had a kind word and a smile for everyone he met. There isn’t a buyer in the crowd who didn’t know Lucky. We are as fond of him as he is of us. Well maybe. He did give Shannon a bit of a hard time when we got married, because he felt Shannon should have chosen him instead of me – all in fun of course. Lucky was a faithful husband to Lucille, his wife of 60 years.

To look at Lucky you’d never know the full story. White beard, slow-moving, and mostly rolling about the auction in a wheelchair, you’d never know the story behind Lucky, and how Lucky got his name.

Lucky served our country as an Air Force pilot for 20 years. He survived not one, but four plane crashes, including the now-famous 1947 crash if the B-29 “Kee Bird” (click here for more). The Kee Bird was later located and the subject of several recovery and restoration efforts.

Lucky left the military and later became the Sultan of Scrap, finding treasures in old buildings and of course at auctions. If he couldn’t find a new home for something, he’d scrap it and recycle it. He loved what he did and it showed.

We won’t have the pleasure of Lucky’s company any more. On November 15, 2008, Lucky left this world for another. He will always be with us in Spirit. We’re honored that he chose to buy at our auctions, and share some of his amazing life with us.

You may have earned the name Lucky, but we’re the lucky one for knowing you.
Happy Landings Lucky – We’ll miss you.

For more information about Lucky and his amazing story, see the following websites:

http://www.allstatescremation.info/Obit.aspx?obitID=406&BLT=67c0b267-a354-4520-9188-875c158249b1