Thursday, March 6, 2014

CTICM(NAC) Beverly Berryman - Sailor Rest Your Oar



CTICM (Cryptologic Technician Interpretive Master Chief) Beverly C. Berryman, United States Navy, Retired, 68, of San Antonio, TX, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital Westover Hills in San Antonio, TX, after an unsuccessful fight against bone cancer. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 12th, at 1:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, IA, with Mike Ward officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon, where he will be interred with our dog Coco (whose ashes he has kept for 15 years so she could be buried with him). Friends may call from 11:00 AM until the time of service Wednesday at the funeral home. Lunch will follow at Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the Gary Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org


Beverly Cooke Berryman was born February 4, 1946, in Front Royal, VA, the son of Lyle Cooke and Helen (Ramey) Berryman. He joined the United States Navy in 1966, and served with distinction for the next 28 years. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he attended Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX, and received a bachelor's degree in both history and Spanish. He married the love of his life Maureen Elizabeth Goltz, of Waukon IA, on June 29, 1968.  They spent their marriage traveling the world as Bev was transferred from one duty station to another until they finally settled in San Antonio.  


He enjoyed watching cowboy movies, reading, Wednesday lunches with his son John, and taking Mom shopping. He loved his country, he loved his wife, he loved his family, and he loved his Navy friends. Dad loved to laugh, and anyone who knew him knows that he took that to an all-time extreme when he almost choked to death laughing while watching the "Full Moon" episode of Designing Women.


He is survived by his loving wife Maureen Elizabeth Berryman; sons: Colin Thomas (Lara Nicole) Berryman and John Devon (Stephanie Nino) Berryman; grandchildren: Connor Michael and Samantha May Berryman; his sister Shirley Ann (Bill) Harper; his wonderful mother-in-law Sis Goltz; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Mike Goltz, Toni (Gary) Kolsrud, Tom Goltz, Frank (Patti) Goltz, Clark (Shelly) Goltz, Laurie Goltz; and many nieces and nephews.


Casketbearers will be his sons: Colin and John Berryman, brothers-in-law: Michael, Frank, Clark, and Tom Goltz, Gary Kolsrud, and Bill Harper, and his shipmate Rick Coffin. Honorary casketbearers will be Tom Botulinski, Don Alvord, and Brent Webb.  

6 comments:

Dean said...

I had the true pleasure of being Bev's shipmate at NRSA/NSGA Rota at the end of his career.

He was one of the true good guys who displayed many traits that set elevated him above the very best of a group of talented peers.

One of these was displaying sustained calm during times when everybody else seemed to be headed the other way.

He and I served together at a time when the world, naval service and our profession was entering a time of profound change.

I quote him often with what I like to call "Berryman's Law" (depending on where you look it up, it may have come first from either a prior Duke of Cambridge or PJ O'Rourke), bit NOBODY delivered it the way Bev could when he would say: "All change is bad."

He had an awesome way of saying this so you weren't quite sure of he was joking or not.

He's gone far too soon. I'm better for for having known him, and feel poorer for now walking in a world without him.

RIP, Master Chief.

Dean Horvath
CWO/W-3, USN (RET)

Unknown said...

Bev was always civil to everyone, a rare trait these days. I am very sorry to hear of his passing. He will always be fondly remembered. Please extend my condolences to his loved ones.

John Crites

Unknown said...

Like Dean, I too was Bev's shipmate at NRSA/NSGA Rota. He and Reenie were our neighbors in base housing and we love them dearly. Between Bev and Jim Riley, there was never a dull moment at work! Bev was a prime example of what a chief is supposed to be-firm, yet fair.
He might be gone, but he is surely not forgotten.
Miss ya Bev...RIP. Keep the heavenly Goat Locker in order for us!

Mikey burress
CTIC(NAC), USN (RET)

Unknown said...

I had the honor of being stationed with Bev Berryman in Atsugi, Japan in the mid-80s. Bev was a "Chief's Chief" - he held strict to discipline and good order in the command, but he maintained his wry sense of humor at all time. When I eventually put on my anchors years later, Bev was one of those Chiefs I patterned my own leadership style after.

As a young PO2 I used to entertain my Shipmates with a pretty good impersonation of Bev's froggy voice. One day in front of everyone Senior Chief Berryman turns to me and says: "I hear you do a pretty good impression of me. Let's hear it." Mortified, I reluctantly gave him a sample. He paused a moment that scared me a bit, but then his face erupted in his trademark goofy grin and he said "That's pretty good! At least I know you're paying attention!"

Bev was a leader of men - a mentor to many, and a friend to all. Stow your oars, Shipmate.

John Rougeux
CTICS(NAC), USN (RET)

Chief1994 said...

I also had the privilege and deep honor to work with Bev during my tour of duty in Atsugi, Japan. Always calm under pressure and a person who you could follow anywhere. As a new Chief at the time, his guidance and words of wisdom followed me thru my career. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. We have lost a great shipmate. RIP Master Chief; I will miss you.

Ron Britton
CTAC, USN (RET)

Dick Williams said...

I was saddened to come across Bev's obituary while scouring the Internet for friends from the past. I believe I first met Bev when I was an instructor at Goodfellow AFB and last saw him at Ft. Meade. It was no surprise to see that he made Master Chief and achieved Aircrew status. Unfortunately I left Atsugi long before he arrived there. It's also unfortunate that we lose contact with so many of our Navy friends until it's too late. You are missed Bev.
Dick Williams CTICM(NAC)/CWO USN (Ret)