BERNARD C. NALTY Sr.

NALTY Bernard C. Nalty, Sr. Bernard Charles Nalty, Sr. passed away on August 19, 2015, in Ellicott City, Maryland at the age of 84. Mr. Nalty was born and educated in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from Creighton University. He lived in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas for his adult life, having located there to pursue graduate studies at Catholic University. In his professional career he was well known for his historical research and non-fiction publications on the military, particularly his writing on black Americans in the military. Along with Morris J. MacGregor, Jr. he edited the thirteen-volume Blacks in the United States Armed Forces and he wrote, and in 1986 published, Strength for the Fight: A History of Black Americans in the Military. Mr. Nalty believed the history of black Americans in the United States military was not adequately researched or shared with the general public, and his passion was to correct that oversight. Prior to retiring in 1994, Mr. Nalty was a senior historian in the Office of Air Force History. Before retiring to Woodstock, MD, Mr. Nalty lived in Hyattsville, MD for 45 years where he was active in the community. He served several years as an officer in the neighborhood association and coached girls' softball for the Green Meadows Boys and Girls Club. He attended and supported St. John the Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church. Mr. Nalty was known for his overwhelming kindness and generosity. His family and friends will remember him as an honest, hardworking, gracious, devout, and ethical man. He was an emblem of his generation. He could be seen each Saturday washing and polishing his car; he sported ironed cloth handkerchiefs; he hand polished his shoes regularly; and he could be seen most days walking the family dog. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara Kathryn Nalty (nee Watke); three daughters, Diane Nalty of Clancy, Montana, Kathleen McNalty of East Wenatchee, WA and Elizabeth Nalty Griffin of Washington, DC; one son, Richard Nalty of Glenelg, MD; and five grandchildren. We miss him deeply. A memorial service will be held in November. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, 12535 Old Frederick Road, Sykesville, MD 21784.A memorial service will be held in November. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, 12535 Old Frederick Road, Sykesville, MD 21784.