In Memory Of
David William Berrie
1937
2020
David William Berrie
February 15, 1937 — July 17, 2020
Dr. David William Berrie, 83, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away July 17, 2020, in Dayton, Ohio after a long battle with cancer. He was born February 15, 1937 to parents Roy and Rose Elizabeth Berrie in Mason City, Iowa. David graduated from Holy Family Catholic High School in 1954, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1958 as a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program. He married his wife Shirley in 1958 and remained married for 62 years. Upon graduation, Lt. Berrie began his career as a commissioned officer stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. After attaining the rank of Captain, his commission ended in 1962 and David took a U.S. Air Force civilian engineering position as the Branch Chief of the Passive Equipment Branch, Electronic Warfare Division. In this capacity, he led the first successful effort to defeat the Russian infrared guided missiles in Vietnam taking a heavy toll on U.S. aircraft losses. Later, he led efforts to develop the Electronic Warfare capability of the EF-111A "Raven." While at Wright-Patterson, David and Shirley were long-term residents of Fairborn, Ohio. David eventually earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University in 1974, studying under legendary Department Chair, Professor Emeritus H.C. Ko.
He continued to work at Wright-Patterson for over 2 decades on other defense programs of national importance in areas of electronic warfare and low observables technologies and was involved in the early development of the B-2 bomber's self-defense systems. Later, David moved over to the Wright Aeronautical Laboratories, where he became the founding Chief Engineer of the fledgling "Signature Technology Office ", a new organization that was responsible for developing a wide range of advanced "stealthy" technologies for future aircraft. That office still recognizes individuals by awarding the "David W. Berrie" Excellence in Technical Management Award to this day. In 1988, he moved from Dayton to Alamogordo, New Mexico to take the Director role at the RATSCAT radar test range at Holloman Air Force Base. In this capacity, David instituted nationally important test range improvements that are still used today. In 1992, he retired from the Air Force and took a position with the Lockheed Skunk Works in Burbank, California. Throughout his entire career, he worked on technologies that influence the design and performance of today's advanced conventional and stealth fighter and bomber aircraft. In addition to his technical expertise, David had a unique talent for mentoring; many of his co-op students and young engineers went on to important (and often high) positions in government and industry. Through them, his influence will be felt for many years to come. He was well-respected within the technical community, served the Department of Defense on several special boards and commissions, and always upheld the core values of the Air Force by exhibiting "integrity first", "service before self", and "excellence in all we do". He retired to Richmond in 2002.
David was a lifelong member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, a charter member of the Association of Old Crows, and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, canoeing, and many other outdoor activities. He enjoyed reading, volunteering at the local library in Richmond, and had an extensive home library. He was well-versed on many subjects and enjoyed engaging in conversations with his friends and family.
David is survived by his wife Shirley, sister Rosanne, brother Phillip, sons John (Myong Suk), Jeffery (Lynn), daughters Janet (Stephen), Joan, Julie (Scott), 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no public viewing or funeral will be held, and the family plans to hold a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton on David's behalf.
To share a memory of David or to leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He continued to work at Wright-Patterson for over 2 decades on other defense programs of national importance in areas of electronic warfare and low observables technologies and was involved in the early development of the B-2 bomber's self-defense systems. Later, David moved over to the Wright Aeronautical Laboratories, where he became the founding Chief Engineer of the fledgling "Signature Technology Office ", a new organization that was responsible for developing a wide range of advanced "stealthy" technologies for future aircraft. That office still recognizes individuals by awarding the "David W. Berrie" Excellence in Technical Management Award to this day. In 1988, he moved from Dayton to Alamogordo, New Mexico to take the Director role at the RATSCAT radar test range at Holloman Air Force Base. In this capacity, David instituted nationally important test range improvements that are still used today. In 1992, he retired from the Air Force and took a position with the Lockheed Skunk Works in Burbank, California. Throughout his entire career, he worked on technologies that influence the design and performance of today's advanced conventional and stealth fighter and bomber aircraft. In addition to his technical expertise, David had a unique talent for mentoring; many of his co-op students and young engineers went on to important (and often high) positions in government and industry. Through them, his influence will be felt for many years to come. He was well-respected within the technical community, served the Department of Defense on several special boards and commissions, and always upheld the core values of the Air Force by exhibiting "integrity first", "service before self", and "excellence in all we do". He retired to Richmond in 2002.
David was a lifelong member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, a charter member of the Association of Old Crows, and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, canoeing, and many other outdoor activities. He enjoyed reading, volunteering at the local library in Richmond, and had an extensive home library. He was well-versed on many subjects and enjoyed engaging in conversations with his friends and family.
David is survived by his wife Shirley, sister Rosanne, brother Phillip, sons John (Myong Suk), Jeffery (Lynn), daughters Janet (Stephen), Joan, Julie (Scott), 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no public viewing or funeral will be held, and the family plans to hold a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton on David's behalf.
To share a memory of David or to leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David William Berrie, please visit our flower store.
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