BERT VAN DE WEERD

Van De Weerd, Bert age 97 of Grafton, Ohio. Passed October 2, 2013. Beloved husband of Mary Hoffman and the late Gretchen (nee Gergrand). Loving father of Christene Harsa, Ann Marie Walker, William, Ronald, and Roland Van De Weerd, John Stanley and the late Bert Van De Weerd, Jr. and Jacqueline Peery. Cherished grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather of many. We never thought that we'd be writing this about our father, he swore that he would live to 100 just to get his driver's license renewed. Now at 97 years old and just purchasing a new vehicle last month, we're sad to say he passed away unexpectedly on the 2nd of October while in the hospital recuperating from an operation. Our father led an interesting life which he very rarely talked about. He was raised on a farm in Iowa and worked as a mechanic during his younger years. He did share some stories about his youth, like the time he stuck a stick into the outhouse under the seat and when a girl went in he moved it around and the girl ran out…thinking it was a snake. He had several others but to us that was the funniest. That's why it surprised us when he rarely talked about his days in the Navy. Our dad joined the Navy in 1939 and was a WWII veteran and a Pearl Harbor survivor. He always said that it was a period in his life that he didn't want to remember. He served as a Machinist Mate on board the USS San Francisco CA 38 from 1940-1943. December 7th 1941 the USS San Francisco was in Pearl Harbor ship yard waiting on repairs with all the guns and ammo removed when the Japanese attacked. Her engineering plant was largely broken down for overhaul. The part that our dad played during this time was vague because he would only give us bits and pieces. We know he was returning from liberty in his Star auto. We know this because he announced the only reason to go back to Pearl Harbor was to find his Star, which was probably scrapped or in the bottom of the ocean. He did mention that he was on a rescue team trying to rescue other sailors by cutting into the hulls of the ships to free them which include the USS Arizona that was across the harbor in Battle ship row at Ford Island. As a Machinist Mate he had to ensure the engine plant was reassembled and ready to get underway. Which he and his fellow shipmates did in record time getting under way within a week. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he continued on the USS San Francisco which was one of the most decorated ships of WWII earning 17 battle stars. He saw action during the Guadalcanal campaign, including the Battle of Cape Esperance and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. During this time he almost lost his life when the Captain and the Admiral were killed, he just left the bridge as it was hit heading back to the engine room. He fought in several other battles which he rarely talked about to us kids. He left the USS San Francisco in 1943 and went to a Diesel school in Cleveland Ohio where he met our mother Gretchen Gerbrand. Several months later on December 17th they married. He left the service in 1945 as a Chief Petty Officer and returned to Ohio to our mother. During the next 48 years our father supported and loved our mother and their 4 boys and 2 girls which we hope was the most rewarding…but then again the toughest because we weren't always angels… He was married to our mother for almost 50 years. They lived a wonderful life raising us kids. Our father even put up with the fact that our mother loved to move a lot. It seemed like every few years we were moving and our father went along with it. Over eighteen years ago, three years after our mother passed away he met a loving companion Mary Hoffman who he married and lived the rest of his life with. We remember him telling us kids that he was robbing the cradle...Mary was 7 years younger than him. They never left each other sides for the 18 years they were married. He was welcomed immediately with open arms from Mary's family and friends. There wasn't anyone that didn't like him. He was born to the late Herman and Effie Van De Weerd February 26, 1916 in Filmore county Minnesota. Bert was married the late Gretchen Gerbrand for 48 years, after her passing he married Mary Hoffman of Strongsville Ohio and they were married for 18 years. Bert served in the US Navy; he was a Pearl Harbor survivor, past Post Commander to VFW Strongsville Ohio for two terms and a member of Operating Engineer Local 18. Graveside services will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery (Rittman, OH) Monday October 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM .