Carl Martin Berntsen

Southern Shores – Carl Martin Berntsen passed away on October 13^th, 2014 in Kitty Hawk, NC. He would have been 94 in November. Carl was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1920. He graduated Port Richmond High School and took various jobs to help support his family through the depression. He married Mary F. Pollock (deceased in August of 2014) in 1942. Their lives together began with the backdrop of a world war, a war that changed the world and the generation of young couples that lived through it. Theirs was a journey based on love of family, a thirst for knowledge, hard work and a sense of adventure that led to a life well lived, far from the comforts and familiarity of their childhood homes.

Mary and Carl’s 71^st anniversary was celebrated in November of 2013. Their journey together began with a move from NY to Idaho to begin Carl’s college and professional career. The next stop was McKenzie Bridge OR where they had their first son, Keith in 1950. McKenzie Bridge was followed by Otis OR, and then by Corvallis OR where Carl earned a Master’s Degree in Forestry. After Corvallis the young family moved to Bend OR. In Bend, Carl assumed the responsibilities of Project Leader at a new USFS Laboratory, and took on the studies required to earn his doctorate in forestry. Also, during their time in Bend, Mary and Carl had their second son, Geoffrey in 1961. The next stop for the family was Virginia where Mary taught at the local high school and Carl advanced his career with the Forest Service in Washington DC. Subsequent assignments included Colorado, Minnesota, back to Virginia where Carl retired from the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service. The next stop was North Carolina for a long, happy and productive retirement.

During retirement, Carl dedicated almost 19 years of volunteer service to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Outer Banks Flotilla 1607. He held several offices within the flotilla and, ran hundreds of patrols and search and rescue missions and considered the time spent in these endeavors the most rewarding of his retirement. Both he and his trusty boat the “Molly B” were fixtures on the waters of the Outer Banks. In between Coast Guard missions, Carl found time to serve on the city council and local boat club of Southern Shores, engage in some stunning expeditions (Norway, Alaska, Siberia… yes really!) all the while growing an enviable garden, the produce of which was shared far and wide.

Carl Berntsen and wife, Mary exemplified the values and character of the “Greatest Generation”. Like so many of that era that passed before them, they will be missed, but they will not be forgotten.

Surviving Carl are his two sons, Keith and Geoff, Geoff’s wife Lisa and two grandchildren, Christian and Jameson, and Carl and Mary’s God Daughter, Kim Paduano and family.

In lieu of flowers it is requested by the family that donations be made to the The Dare Literacy Council that Mary supported for many years. Contact Lynn Blackburn : 252.216.7773.

A memorial open house will be held at Mary and Carl’s residence on Sunday October 26, 2014 from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Condolences may be expressed via the online register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc was entrusted with arrangements.