Bernard Edward Goehring

CAPT Bernard (Bud) E. Goehring USN Ret age 91, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife Nancy, by his side, on Thursday, April 11, 2019 after a long illness. He was born on November 24, 1927, in East Orange, New Jersey, son of Bernhardt Goehring and Helen Gertrude (Parks) Goehring. As a youth, he worked for his father's company and the YMCA. Moving on to a naval career and family life, Bud became an aviator, both in fixed wings and rotor. He was Commanding Officer (CO) of VS 32, NAS Quonset Point, RI; CO of Cam Ranh Bay air station, Vietnam; CO of the USS Caloosahatchee; and retired as a Captain with 30 years of active duty. Not ready for retirement life, Bud worked for Penn State University as the Director of Transportation; and later as Division Manager of Bartlett Tree Co, Roanoke, Virginia. He is survived by his wife and friend Nancy Louise (Hiross) Goehring of 67 years; two daughters, Mary Goehring McFee (Rick) of Callaway, Virginia; Elizabeth Goehring (Brent Eighme) of Denver, Colorado; three sons Charles B. Goehring (Terry) of Verona, Wisconsin; David E. Goehring (Martine) of Copenhagen, Denmark; Richard H. Goehring (Lam Anh) of Fairfax Station, Virginia. He leaves grandchildren: Charles McFee (Alison) of North Carolina; Eric McFee (Kristen) of Hawaii; Alex Goehring of Virginia; Zach Goehring of Virginia; Trevor Goehring of Virginia; and Jefferson Goehring of Denmark. He also leaves two great-grandchildren Lauren and Jake McFee of North Carolina; his sister Katherine Goehring Rittweger of New Jersey; and several nieces. He was sadly predeceased by his grandson Benjamin Goehring. In retirement, Bud was busy volunteering: Windy Gap Property Owners Association wearing many hats; Board of Director of Franklin County YMCA; a regular tutor in math, reading and writing at Sontag Elementary School; even delivering meals for St. Francis-Assisi Catholic Church. For years Bud and Nancy embraced philanthropic efforts for local and national needs. Most notable were the Roanoke and Franklin County YMCAs; Franklin County scholarships through the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia; and supportive members of St. Francis-Assisi Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis-Assisi Catholic Church of Rocky Mount, Virginia on Monday, April 29 at 3 pm. His final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice of Roanoke, Virginia; St. Francis-Assisi Catholic Church of Rocky Mount, Virginia or a charity of your choice. The Captain (AKA Bud, Bernie, Buddy, Skipper, Mr. G, Dad) was truly blessed with 91 adventurous and productive years. He will be missed. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.