Fred Bertsch Jr.

Retired Navy Capt. Fred S. Bertsch Jr., 92, died Oct. 10, 2012, in Palm City. He was born Oct. 8, 1920, and grew up in Holland, Mich., and moved to Stuart upon retirement. He graduated from Hope College in 1941 and entered the Navy as an ensign. Stationed at Pearl Harbor at the outbreak of war, he survived the attack and served almost three consecutive years of combat on the destroyer USS Case (DD-370) in the Western Pacific. After World War II, Capt. Bertsch attended flight school and was designated a naval aviator. He served 18 months flying combat patrol missions over and around Korea from 1950 to 1952. He transferred into the Naval Reserve in 1957 and returned to Holland, where he taught math at Holland High School and later was principal from 1964 to 1978. He was active in business, subdividing several properties along Lake Macatawa and engaged in several other entrepreneurial activities. He was a member of the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, serving two terms as commodore. He also was a member of the Holland Rotary Club, serving a term as district governor. Survivors include his wife, Dorthey Kirk Bertsch; son, Retired Navy Capt. Fred S. Bertsch III; daughters, Retired Army Col. Susan Bertsch Bobek, Martha Ann Bertsch and Dr. Mary Jo Bertsch; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorraine Bertsch, in 1997. Memorial contributions may be made to Rotary International in support of eradicating polio at The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693; or www.rotary.org. Services: The family will conduct a private memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.