FRANK REED BERKHIMER

Capt. Frank Reed Berkhimer, United States Navy (Ret.), of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Dec. 27. He was 87 years old.

Capt. Berkhimer is survived by his wife of 64 years, "Marty" (the former Martha Lee Eigenbrode of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania). He is also survived by four children: a daughter, Lee Hunter (Richard) of Arlington, Virginia; and three sons: Tim of Virginia Beach; Kirk (Lynn) of Moyock, North Carolina; and Kelly (Catherine) of Chesapeake, Virginia. He is also survived by a sister, Ann Gregory (Wade) of Alexandria, Virginia.

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.

Capt. Berkhimer was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Frank W. Berkhimer of Roaring Spring.

After graduating from Roaring Spring High School in 1949, he attended Penn State Undergraduate Center, Altoona, 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.

Capt. 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, Virginia, concluded a career of proud service of more than 30 years.

Capt. Berkhimer earned a degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and a master's degree in financial management from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 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.

Capt. Berkhimer was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church Virginia Beach and was active in its 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 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1969 Woodside Lane, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 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 Capt. Berkhimer's sons attended the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, 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 http://www.hollomon-brown.com.

Arrangements by Hollomon-Brown Funeral Homes, Norfolk.