George BERKHOFER Obituary


News Death Notice

BERKHOFER, George Henry IV 74, of South Charleston, died on Saturday, December 7, 2013, at Springfield Regional Medical Center in Springfield, Ohio. He was born November 30, 1939, in Queens, New York, to the late Howard and Mamie (Hunter) Berkhofer. He married his wife of 44 years, Karen Marie Ipsen, on February 15, 1969, in Springfield, Ohio, and she survives. He is also survived by his three devoted children: Elizabeth (Greg) Altman of Springfield, Ohio; Julia (Ben) Sutherly of Troy, Ohio; and George (Samantha) Berkhofer V of Springfield, Ohio; and two grandchildren, Ella Josephine Berkhofer and Joseph Henry Sutherly. George grew up in Chicago, and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He came to Springfield to work as a classics professor at Wittenberg University, and he had a formal, dignified manner of speaking befitting of that role. At various times, he also worked as a South Charleston police officer, owned a trucking business, and taught at Catholic Central High School. But historic preservation was his defining passion. He was a champion of Clark County's architectural past, both as former executive director of the county Historical Society and current president of the Heritage Commission of South Charleston. He played a key role in placing much of downtown Springfield on the National Register of Historic Places, and spearheaded the restoration of several landmarks in South Charleston, chief among them the town Opera House. He authored "No Place Like Home," an architectural history of Clark County.He enjoyed gardening and wet collodion photography. He was enthusiastic about virtually everything Victorian, whether furniture, food, horticulture or just plain culture. In many ways, he embodied a different time. One of his frequent sayings - from his favorite book, Giuseppe di Lampedusa's The Leopard - was, "If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change." He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in South Charleston, and had been serving as a member of the Clark County Convention Facilities Authority. Visitation will be from 5pm to 7pm on December 13, 2013 at INGLING WILLIAMS & LEWIS FUNERAL HOME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, South Charleston followed by burial at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Heritage Commission of South Charleston.

Published by Springfield News-Sun on Dec. 11, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for George BERKHOFER

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Frank and I send our condolences to all the Berkhofer family for your great loss. What a difference Mr. Berkhofer made in the world, and his light will be missed. We had much joy at the beautiful Opera House and 1860's balls, and we miss his smiling presence and guiding hand. God bless you.

Millie Henley

January 1, 2014

Mrs. Berkhofer - You were such an influential teacher to me and I am very sorry to see this. God Bless your family.

Katy (Hall) Godsey

December 16, 2013

So sorry for your loss my prayers are with you and your family,

Lori Thomas

December 13, 2013

I knew Mr. Berkofer as a man who knew something about everything, but his quiet kindness and quick dry wit will be what I remember the most. My best to his family, he truly will be missed.

Mike Reeb

December 13, 2013

The Berkhofer Family,

Mr. Berkhofer was one of my very favorites at CCHS! I was recently telling my husband what a remarkable human being he was.. I am very sorry for your loss.

Elizabeth Martin

December 13, 2013

So very sorry to hear of your loss! Your entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers!

Darrell & Linda Hodson & family

December 13, 2013

I was very sorry to hear that George had passed. He really had passion for his interests and made his own path with real marks in our history to be remembered by. I really liked George and he will be missed by many, never to be replaced. My thoughts are with you Karen and family.

Andy Cason

December 13, 2013

Mr Berkhofer was a great teacher. He exemplified what a learned man is and I often reflect on those classes. He taught me Latin, history, and government at CCHS. Many of our class of 2001, recount our memories of those times and he is a fixture in our lives. I think we were unaware of his fight for preservation. Such hard working and humble men are rare and exemplify the dedication to proper education required in life. He leaves a void and I'm sorry for your loss.

John Day Jr

December 12, 2013

He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed Karen. My prayers go out to you and your family

Loretta (Slaven) Lewis

December 12, 2013

George was a good man and a fixture of South Charleston he will be sorely missed

Pat Zimmerman

December 11, 2013

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Shawn Storer

December 11, 2013

A great loss. Mr Berkhofer held a special place on our hearts as his Mrs continues to. With sincere sympathy. The Highmiller family

Laurie Highmiller

December 11, 2013

Mr Berkhofer was an excellent teacher I always enjoyed his classes, and his laugh.
Springfield lost a great citizen.

T Seipel

December 11, 2013

George was a fixture of South Charleston. He will definitely leave an opening that will never be filled. He will be missed. Thought and prayers to Karen and the family.

Cindy Elliott

December 11, 2013

Karen and Family
Georgia and I are deeply sorry for your loss. George was one of a kind. Many many stories he would tell. Condolences to all of you.
Love Mickey and Georgia

December 11, 2013

I had Mr. Berkhofer for Civics class at Catholic Central back in the mid-90s. He was brilliant. From time to time, I still use the secret sign of the Know Nothing Party that he showed us in class :) My sincerest condolences to his family.

Mark Corcoran

December 11, 2013

George was full of knowledge. I only knew him a few months. He was a very interesting man. He will be missed.

Larry E. Simmons

December 11, 2013

Our thoughts are with all of you. Our deepest sympathy, John and Jane Mastbaum

December 11, 2013

Karen,

I am so sorry to learn of George's passing; his contributions will certainly live on. May God bless you and your family with his peace and love at this most difficult time.

Cheryl Hurren (Farmer)

December 11, 2013

George was a vibrant human being. He will be missed by all that knew him. He truely left a legacy that will never be forgotten. A wonderful neighbor and friend to Mother and Dad who are mourning his death. Love and condolences to George's family who he truely loved.

Marne Simpson

St. Petersburg, Florida



Marne Simpson

Marne Simpson

December 11, 2013

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