Walter Bernard "Bernie" Kerr

1937 - 2023

It is with profound sadness that the family of Walter Bernard "Bernie" Kerr announces his passing away at the age 86, on Monday, February 20, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. We are also grateful, finding joy and comfort, that he is free from the limitations imposed by a major stroke 2 1/2 years ago.

He lived life to its fullest every day. From a dairy farming family in North Carolina, he attended North Carolina State, played freshman basketball, then talked a young lady named Jo Anne Bradford into dropping out of college and getting married at 19 years old. Bernie took his first and only job as an aerospace engineer at Pratt & Whitney aircraft right after college, retiring from there 33 years later. Only eight years after moving to Florida and learning to sail, he competed in the Olympic trials in the Flying Dutchman. He was an avid water sports enthusiast, diving, spear-fishing, lobstering, fishing, and windsurfing. For years he loaded the freezer with as many lobster tails as the law allowed on the opening week of lobster season in the Florida Keys. He also provided a steady supply of fish that he caught (mostly snook) or speared (grouper and snapper). He windsurfed from the sports' inception, and surfed the Gorge in Oregon well into his 70's. An accomplished natural athlete, he ran sub-3:30 marathons for decades, even after suffering a major heart attack at 41 years old. An avid traveler, Bernie and his wife traveled to the British Isles, Germany, Italy, Austria, Nova Scotia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, and many National Parks.

Bernie taught propulsion courses to astronauts and test pilots at Edwards Air Force Base, where he would hitch rides in fighter jets, many of which he had been on the engine design team for. And, after retiring, he built and flew his own airplanes (RV-6), flying solo above the Arctic Circle. Always ahead of his time, he was an early advocate for alternative energy sources and environmental preservation to prevent greenhouse gas effects, putting solar on the roof of his airplane hangar to power his home. Like his father, he was a man of strong belief, serving as an elder in his church and helping start new churches in his presbytery. In his spare time he was a licensed general contractor, building houses with friends. He went on construction missions to Kosovo, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Also, like his father, he was an avid gardener, growing tropical fruit trees and vegetables. An Eagle Scout, he had the designation of "oldest Eagle" in the Kia Kima Camp when he went with his grandchildren in his late 70's.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jo Anne Bradford Kerr; daughter, Natalie C. Kerr, M.D.; and grandsons, Bradford Ewing Beard and Griffen Kerr Beard. He is also survived by his siblings, Jennie Dishman, Floyd Kerr, and Sharon Barbee.

Join us in celebrating him, his amazing life, and his immense love of life, family, and faith. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Palm City Presbyterian Church, 2700 SW Martin Hwy, Palm City, FL 34990.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be directed to the Mission Fund at Palm City Presbyterian Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Kerr family.