Charles Henry Berry

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Charles H. Berry, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired, on June 7, 2026, in Indian Harbour Beach.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Beach Funeral Home on June 28 at 11:00 am, followed by a reception at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club. He will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Charles (Chuck) is survived by his wife Martel Lampton Berry, his son Robert Berry, stepdaughter Tracy Wenz, stepson Paul Wenz, sister Louise Strait, and nieces and nephews Lenissa, Elgen, Graeson, Andrew, Shayla, Caelan, Shandi, and Desmond. He is predeceased by his parents Oscar and Margaret Berry and his first wife, Linda Miller.

Born on July 5, 1938, Chuck was raised in Washington, D.C. After enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1955, he attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Lycoming College, and the University of Southern California. He was commissioned as an ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, in 1960, augmented to the regular Navy, and retired in 1980. Significant personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal given for meritorious service aboard a nuclear submarine while conducting strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War.

After retirement Chuck began a second career in general aviation, obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot license and flying the Cessna Citation business jet. Additionally, he was a Certified Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and Airframe and Powerplant mechanic. As an instructor, in addition to teaching many people how to fly airplanes, seaplanes, and gliders, he set up the United States pilot training program for Korean Air. For twenty years he led aviation safety seminars co-hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, conducting programs for pilots in all 50 states.

Chuck's leisure-time activities have included completing the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon at age 65, bicycle touring, sport aviation, cruising the "Great Loop" with Marty in his 32-foot Nordic Tug tugboat, and long-distance motorcycle touring.

At 69, he became the oldest person to complete the Iron Butt Motorcycle Association's National Parks Gold Award by visiting 109 U.S. National Parks in 41 states and 3 Canadian provinces from Florida to Nova Scotia, Alaska, and California on his BMW motorcycle in one year. After his 70th birthday he rode from Florida to Newfoundland, where he undertook the entire Trans-Canada Highway to Victoria, British Columbia: 13,524 miles over July and August 2008. In 2012 he shipped his motorcycle to Seattle, Washington, and then rode from there to San Diego and along the southern U.S. border and Gulf Coast to Key West before returning home, thus completing a 20,000-mile circumnavigation of the United States.

Closer to home, in the Melbourne community, he was a supporter of the performing arts, in particular the King Center for the Performing Arts and the Melbourne Municipal Band. He was a 25-year Legacy member of the Circle Club and a joyful presence at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club.

We are grateful for the loving care that Chuck received at Zon Beachside Assisted Living in his final months.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Melbourne Municipal Band (www.mmband.org), 1924 Melody Lane, Melbourne, FL 32901.