More detail on this person: Berthold, Hubert M. "Bert" Colonel (Ret.), United States Air Force,
81, died of congestive heart failure on May 24, 2016 at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, FL.
Colonel Berthold is survived by Wini Shelburne, his loving and devoted wife; and their five
children; Alison and William, Bardstown, KY, Micheline of Mobile, AL, Elizabeth Griffin (Robert),
Canton, GA and Lucy of Woodstock, GA. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Megan Griffin
Quinlan (Ryan), Lauren Griffin Kennedy (Colin), GA, Ryan Samuels and William Samuels, Bardstown,
KY and Spencer Samuels, Woodstock, GA; and three great grandchildren.
Colonel Berthold served 28 years with distinction in the USAF. He performed three combat tours in
the Vietnam War flying USAF Rescue helicopter missions. Colonel Berthold frequently stated, "The
smile on the survivors face means more than any medals or rewards, it is a thanks beyond compare."
He earned numerous medals, decorations, commendations and awards for his dedication and bravery,
including the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal and two Distinguished Flying Cross.
He grew up in Louisville, KY, the eldest of four children of Julius A. and Dorothy A. Berthold. As a
boy, he learned compassion and honor from his loving mother and devotion from his father, and never
strayed from it. He attended Louisville Male High School and achieved the position as Regimental
Commander in the U.S. Army Jr. ROTC and was Co-Captain of the football team that were 1951
Southern USA Champions. He graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1956 where he was
Captain of their football team and received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Senior ROTC.
On August 1, 1956 he earned his Bachelor of Art degree from Western Kentucky University, Bowling
Green, Ky., then on to The Air War College, where he attended the Air University Resident Course
from 1975 to 1976. He subsequently received his Master of Art Degree from Webster College, St.
Louis, Mo. on May 10, 1975.
After his retirement from the USAF in 1984, he was a quality control manager for Boeing Aircraft and
was involved in their development of the CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and with other assignments
in the U.S. and Spain.
When Bert retired in 1995 he and Wini made their home in Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. He cherished his
beloved wife and their children and grandchildren. They were Bert's happiness and world.
Please visit www.daviswatkins.com to sign the guestbook, express condolences and share memories.
Published in The Courier-Journal on July 10, 2016
This information was last updated 08/21/2016
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