William Berkman Obituary

William Berkman, born in Rochester, Minn to Dr. John Mayo Berkman and Margaret Sherman Berkman on May 30, 1929, passed away after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease, at the age of 85, on November 12, 2014.

He graduated from Rochester High School in 1947, and then attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut and the University of Minnesota before joining the USAF in 1951. He served as a Fighter-Interceptor, Special Tactics Pilot, and Squadron Commander, and completed 148 combat missions in the Vietnam War. He had assignments to Spain and Turkey as well as numerous bases in the United States. After 31 years of dedicated service he retired as a Colonel here in Colorado Springs as Asst Director of Plans HQ NORAD/ASCCOM. He was a recipient of numerous awards and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service medal to name a few.

Bill met Cynthia Hammond from Manitowoc, WI when they were 18, and they married in 1953. Together they traveled across the globe with their four children taking in all the history and culture, and making lifelong friends along the way.

After learning to fish and hunt along the Mississippi as a boy, Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life. He was a member of and held office in numerous organizations including Daedalions, Silver Wings, Quiet Birdmen(QB's), Horticultural Arts Society, Genealogy Society, Adult Literacy Program, Meals on Wheels, Pikes Peak Computer Group, Jeanne Taylor Parkinsons Support Group, Probation Officer, and Editor/author of numerous Newsletters. In his later years he enjoyed working in the yard and gardens with Cynthia, and always had gardening advice or a smile and wave for friends and neighbors coming by.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Cynthia, son John(LeeAnn) of Vacaville, CA; daughters Betsy(John) Wirth of Gig Harbor, WA; Nancy of Dallas, TX; and Kari of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Nick(Jenna), Levi, Bill, Kristin, Stephanie(Luke), Trey, and Bobby; sister Suzanne Johnson; nieces/nephews Annie, Sally, Johnny, Barby, Suzy, Anne, Barbara, Sarah, James, Robert and Peter; and great granddaughter Paige.

Memorial service at 2 pm Wednesday, November 19 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2505 N. Circle Dr, Colorado Springs, CO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation or Wounded Warriors.