Edward Brecht

Edward R. Brecht CENTRE, Ala. - Edward R. Brecht, 71, died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in Williamsburg, Va. Ed proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years retiring as chief petty officer radarman. He was stationed aboard many ships including the USS Windham County, USS Whitehurst, the Seneca, and Fort Smelling. During his deployment in Morocco, he was chosen to have Christmas dinner with Prince Ranier, Princess Grace, and their children. He was born in South Fork, Pa., grew up in Lancaster, Pa., where his brother introduced him to the beauty of the wilderness. In 1985, he received the Virginia Wildlife Federations Hunter Education of the Year Award. He loved to hunt and had a strong commitment to teach safe hunting and wildlife conservation. He was devoted to his teaching and put more than 4,000 pupils through his course. After serving in the Navy, Ed attended Christopher Newport College and went on to be a dispatcher for the Oceana Fire Department and retired from the Public Works and Transportation at Oceana. He had just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in Williamsburg. He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth; three children, Kathy and husband Archie of Williamsburg, Cindy and husband John of Florida, and Sharon of Alabama; two grandsons, Steven and Raymond; a sister, Pat; a brother, Nelson; along with many nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m. in the Buckrout of Williamsburg Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be registered at bucktroutfuneralhome.net.