Joseph W. Bernhard Sr.

Joseph W. Bernhard, Sr., was born on September 21, 1932, in Newnan, Georgia. He passed away on September 7, 2010, in Colorado Springs. Joe was a proud military veteran who joined the Air Force in 1951. He met Jill Capraro while stationed in Miami and married her on August 3, 1956. His career included assignments to North Africa, England, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Alaska, North Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. He specialized in aircraft management and scheduling, and received numerous awards for dedication, leadership, and meritorious service. He retired from the Air Force in 1979 as Senior Master Sergeant. After retirement, he worked for the US Post Office. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Geraldine, and by Jill, his wife of 45 years. He is survived by brother Wilson Bernhard and sister Karen Froseth; his six children: Joseph Bernhard, Jr., Cynthia Sessions, Tammy Bernhard-Tanis, Bill Bernhard, Tracey Pritchard, and Jolene Bernhard; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be buried at the National Veterans Cemetery in Santa Fe. Donations can be made to Wounded Warriors (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or to Wish of a Lifetime (www.seniorwish.org). Joe was a good man. He will be greatly missed.