USNA Class of '54 Website!

“SEVEN BELLS IN THE EVENING WATCH”

Our years have slipped past, silently--

Six decades and a half

Since ‘Fifty-four flung caps in air,

With many a cheer and laugh,

Our numbers, never great at first,

By ones and twos are pared,

Fewer remain, to celebrate

The memories we shared.

We’ll mark a new red-letter day

As sixty-five arrives,

A time for laurel “leaves of gold”,

Most precious in our lives,

From every corner of our land

We’ll meet, and greet, and cheer,

Old tales be told, hearts still as bold

As in that long-past year!

12-22-18

Captain Frank Reed Berkhimer, USN (Ret.) of Virginia Beach, VA died peacefully at home on December 27th. He was 87 years old. Captain Berkhimer is survived by his wife of 64 years, "Marty" (the former Martha Lee Eigenbrode of Waynesboro PA). He is also survived by four children. A daughter, Lee Hunter (Richard) of Arlington, VA, and three sons: Tim of Virginia Beach; Kirk (Lynn) of Moyock, NC; and Kelly (Catherine) of Chesapeake, VA. He is also survived by a sister, Ann Gregory (Wade) of Alexandria, VA. He was the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren: Barrett (Clare) and Brandon Hunter; Casey and Erin Berkhimer; Ashley Puvogel (John) and Nathaniel Berkhimer; Joshua Berkhimer and Jena Aluia (Joe); Hudson, Jamison, and Samantha Woolley; and two who preceeded him in death: Whitney Lauren Hunter and Brent Michael Perry. He was also the proud great grandfather of four great grandchildren: Levi Berkhimer, Kinsley and Ellyson Puvogel, and Benjamin Hunter.

Captain Berkhimer was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Frank W. Berkhimer of Roaring Spring, PA. After graduating from Roaring Spring High School in 1949, he attended Penn State Undergraduate Center, Altoona, PA, where he was a member of the Naval Reserve. He subsequently received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1950, graduated and was commissioned an Ensign, United States Navy in 1954.

Captain Berkhimer retired from active duty in 1980 after spending his career primarily on submarines. He served aboard attack transport USS Olmsted, and submarines USS Thornback, USS Chopper, USS Barracuda and USS John Marshall. He was then appointed Commanding Officer, USS Sea Robin; that tour concluded his shipboard service. Two tours of duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, service on the staffs of Commander Submarines Atlantic and Commander Submarine Squadron Six, and finally service on the staff of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force and Director of Submarine Safety at the U.S. Naval Safety Center, Norfolk, VA concluded a career of proud service of more than 30 years.

Captain Berkhimer earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA and a master's degree in Financial Management from The George Washington University, Washington, DC. After retiring from the United States Navy, he earned a certification as a Certified Public Accountant for the Commonwealth of Virginia, which enabled him to work in the accounting and taxation fields.

Captain Berkhimer was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church Virginia Beach and was active in their music program for a number of years. He volunteered his time with the American Red Cross, the Virginia Insurance and Advocacy Program, the Jewish Community Center, and the AARP Tax-Aid program. He was a life member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and the Military Officers Association of America.

A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1969 Woodside Lane, Virginia Beach, VA on Saturday January 5, 2019 at 2:00PM with a reception immediately following.

Internment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. His daughter will be his attending Arlington Lady.

All three of Captain Berkhimer's sons attended the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA and he very proudly commissioned each one into service in the United States Navy. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial contributions be made to VMI Keydet Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot from Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, 2018