John H. Kauffman Jr.

1917 - 2016

PORTSMOUTH - John H. Kauffman, Jr., 98, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2016. He was born to the late John H. and Bertha M. Kauffman in Ft. Collins, CO. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Diana Kauffman. He was a long-term member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth where he served as an usher for many years. He also served as a volunteer for REVIMS for the Portsmouth Naval Hospital at the pharmacy at Scotts Center for a total of 5,000 hours. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Branch 40 in Chesapeake, where he enjoyed many a good Friday night dinner. John was a graduate of Humansville High School, Humansville, MO. He joined the U.S. Navy on February 26, 1941. During World War II, he served at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) and Fleet Hospital 116 in Okinawa for two and a half years. He attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer during the war and was later promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his 28-year career, he served in Boston, MA, Washington D.C., Guam, Brunswick, ME, Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA. He also served aboard the USS Macon and USS Mountrail. He retired on October 1, 1968, from the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth where he served two tours of duty as an instructor teaching Pharmacology and Materia Medica. Prior to retirement and full time after retirement, he worked at Suburban Pharmacy in Portsmouth for twelve years and for Chesapeake Health Department for 18 months. Survivors include his daughter, Sherry Gilson and husband Bob of Virginia Beach; a son, Dr. John H. Kauffman III and wife Patti of Poquoson; two grandchildren, Beth Long and husband Brian of Richmond and Chase Kauffman of New York City, NY; and one great-grandson Andrew Long of Richmond. A memorial service will be held 5 P.M. Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Trinity Episcopal Church by the Rev. Charles J. Smith. Burial will be private at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at a reception in the church following the service. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court St., Portsmouth, VA 23704. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com