LTC (Ret) Richard "Dick" Berry

Lieutenant Colonel Richard L. Berry, Ret., known to his friends as “Dick,” was born on September 28, 1940 in Danville, Pennsylvania to his parents, William and Crystal Berry. Raised in Danville, he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard at age 17 where he served as a member of a tank crew. After finishing Armor Advanced Individual Training, he attended the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing for Men. He worked for 2 years at Osteopathic Hospital in Philadelphia before joining the Army Nurse Corps. After successfully completing the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to Valley Forge General Hospital. Just six weeks after inprocessing for this assignment, however, he was reassigned to the 85th Evacuation Hospital newly formed at Fort Bliss in order to deploy to Vietnam. The 85th proudly supported the 1st Cavalry Division during the Ia Drang Valley massacre depicted in the book and movie, “We Were Soldiers Once and Young.” Following his tour in Vietnam, Lieutenant Colonel Berry continued his 25 year career in the Army Nurse Corps. In 1972 he was named the U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s “Nurse Counselor of the Year.” In recognition of his achievements, service, and potential, the Army awarded him a fully-funded scholarship to obtain the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at East Carolina University. During his distinguished career, Lieutenant Colonel Berry served in numerous positions as staff nurse, head nurse, section supervisor, evening/night supervisor, assistant chief nurse and chief nurse. He retired from Active Duty Service in 1988. Dick’s video poker, bowling, and fishing skills were the envy of all who knew him. A passionate dog lover, he volunteered for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the Hawaii Humane Society. He was known as a good and kind man with a wicked sports obsession, taping and watching every televised golf, baseball, and football game imaginable. Lieutenant Colonel Richard L. Berry, Ret. died on April 26, 2014 at his home in El Paso, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Colonel Lennie Enzel, Ret.; four children: Doug Berry (Lynne), Renee Wickowski (Randy), Andrea Prusak (John), and Greg Berry; 7 grandchildren: Jade (AJ), Jena (Mike), Shannon, Amanda, Trevor, Alexis (Michael), and Austin; and 6 great-grandchildren: Jordan, Kellen, Kasen, Ty, Austin, and Lucas. He also survived by 2 loving brothers: Butch (Fran) and Major George Berry, Ret. (Patti); his former wife, Kay; his brother-in-law Steve (Rose); several nieces and nephews; and scores of friends. Visitation is at Sunset Funeral Home on Hondo Pass in Northeast El Paso from 5pm-8:30pm on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Service will be at Fort Bliss Center Chapel at 11:45am on Friday, May 2, 2014 followed by Full Military Honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1pm. After the cemetery services, refreshments will be served in Building 440 across from Center Chapel. Donations can be made in Dick's name to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Hospice of El Paso, or the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.