11/28/16

Death of a ClassMate - Capt. Oscar Alfred 'Oz' Herzer (RET) - 23rd Co.




Capt. Oscar Alfred 'Oz' Herzer (RET) died at home November 26, 2016 at the age of 85. He was born on December 11, 1930, the son of Alfred and Emma Marshall Herzer. 

Oz enlisted in the Navy in 1948, and upon graduation from the Naval Academy Preparatory School received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated class of 1954 and received his wings of gold in 1955.

His 28 year military career as an S-2 pilot included tours with VS-32 as a power plants officer, VT-28 as a flight instructor, VS-31 as a training officer, USS Kearsarge as an aircraft maintenance officer and Commanding Officer of VS-37. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. and after graduation was assigned to the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. His last tour of duty was with the CINCLANT Airborne Command Post at Langley Air Force Base.

After retiring from the navy, Oz taught math at Virginia Beach Middle School for 15 years.

Oz was a kind and gentle soul. He enjoyed his many friendships, but spending time with his academy classmates at luncheons and especially Army/Navy game day meant so much to him.

Oz was an active member of Eastern Shore Chapel where he was an acolyte and thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Peanut Group.

Oz is survived by his wife Sally-Louise Herzer, his daughter Mary Louise Herzer of Virginia Beach, Va.; his son Christopher Marshall Herzer and his daughter-in-law Jacqueline Ann Herzer of Jacksonville, NC; and his four grandsons Ian, Aaron, Simon and Jonah as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Oz's life will be conducted on Saturday, December 3rd at 11:00am at the Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church at 2020 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach. Interment will be at a later date at the United States Naval Academy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eastern Shore Chapel Food Closet, ESC Parish Day School or to MediHome Health and Hospice, 530 Independence Pkwy., Suite 200, Chesapeake, Va. 23320.

No comments: