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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