Son of William F. KOERSCHNER, Sr. and Hannah HUNSICKER. Married Martha Elizabeth "Marty" MERCHER.
Watauga Democrat Obituary:
Col. William F. Koerschner, Jr., US Air Force (Retired), 88, of Wonderland Drive, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and attended Akron University where he met his future wife Marty. Upon graduating, he was called to duty and spent World War II, training fighter pilots. Later in his career he was assigned to a highly classified unit charged with obtaining samples of all foreign nuclear detonations. In 1961, Col. Koerschner was operations chief when the Russians detonated 33 warheads in just over 40 days. These were all atmospheric tests.
After a career of 30 years, Col. Koerschner retired with his wife Marty to Hampton Roads, Va. Several years later, they payed a visit to Bill and Joyce Mason in Blowing Rock. The four of them had been stationed in Japan together after the war. The Koerschners immediately fell in love with Blowing Rock. Two weeks later they sold their house and moved here. Bill and Marty (who received the Blowing Rock Woman of the Year award in 1987) devoted themselves to volunteer work in the town. A longtime member of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club, Bill also founded and directed the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Committee (BRAAC) for 25 years.
The appearance of Blowing Rock today, with its profusion of flowers, attractive lamp post lighting and tasteful signage was brought about largely by his vision. Each year thousands of flowers are planted in hanging baskets, window boxes, flower beds, and at all the entrances to town. Many of these areas were formerly weedy plots. In the beginning many of the flowers were watered by "the Co." himself. He could be seen about town, two trash bins of water in the hatchback of his car, or wielding a weedwacker at the 321 bypass into Blowing Rock.
He was also a frequent letter writer, firing off missives to the DOT regarding their use of a "roto-riper" on the roadsides. The utility company was also on his "list" for the severe tree damage caused by their poor trimming practices. Recently, he finally won a protracted battle to clean up the metal junk pile along 321 into Boone.
In 1987, in a competition sponsored by Keep North Carolina Beautiful, Blowing Rock won second place for most beautiful small town. Col. Koerschner accepted the award on behalf of BRAAC. He was honored with the prestigious Governor's Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service, given for "his work with BRAAC and programs and projects of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club." The award was presented in Greensboro by Governor Jim Hunt who said, "It is your volunteer spirit that makes North Carolina a great place to live and raise a family."
Like many of the "greatest generation" he had a strong sense of duty and high moral standards. Always in pursuit of a better world, he will be remembered for his innovative sprit and his dedication to the beauty and preservation of nature.
Col. Koerschner is survived by one son, William F. Koerschner, III and wife, Robyn, of Farmington, New Mexico; one daughter, Carol Ann Rothberg and husband, Burton, of Princeton, New Jersey; one grandson, Justin Rothberg of New York City; two granddaughters, Kathryn Koerschner of Farmington, New Mexico, and Zoe Rothberg of New York City; and his dear friend and companion of eight years, Carolyn Beattie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Elizabeth Mercher Koerschner; his father and mother, William F. Koerschner, Sr. and Hannah Hunsicker Koerschner; and one sister.
At his request, there will be no memorial or funeral services for Col. Koerschner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in his memory, to The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter, 4705 University Drive, Suite 290, Durham, N.C. 27707.
Watauga Democrat Obituary:
Col. William F. Koerschner, Jr., US Air Force (Retired), 88, of Wonderland Drive, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and attended Akron University where he met his future wife Marty. Upon graduating, he was called to duty and spent World War II, training fighter pilots. Later in his career he was assigned to a highly classified unit charged with obtaining samples of all foreign nuclear detonations. In 1961, Col. Koerschner was operations chief when the Russians detonated 33 warheads in just over 40 days. These were all atmospheric tests.
After a career of 30 years, Col. Koerschner retired with his wife Marty to Hampton Roads, Va. Several years later, they payed a visit to Bill and Joyce Mason in Blowing Rock. The four of them had been stationed in Japan together after the war. The Koerschners immediately fell in love with Blowing Rock. Two weeks later they sold their house and moved here. Bill and Marty (who received the Blowing Rock Woman of the Year award in 1987) devoted themselves to volunteer work in the town. A longtime member of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club, Bill also founded and directed the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Committee (BRAAC) for 25 years.
The appearance of Blowing Rock today, with its profusion of flowers, attractive lamp post lighting and tasteful signage was brought about largely by his vision. Each year thousands of flowers are planted in hanging baskets, window boxes, flower beds, and at all the entrances to town. Many of these areas were formerly weedy plots. In the beginning many of the flowers were watered by "the Co." himself. He could be seen about town, two trash bins of water in the hatchback of his car, or wielding a weedwacker at the 321 bypass into Blowing Rock.
He was also a frequent letter writer, firing off missives to the DOT regarding their use of a "roto-riper" on the roadsides. The utility company was also on his "list" for the severe tree damage caused by their poor trimming practices. Recently, he finally won a protracted battle to clean up the metal junk pile along 321 into Boone.
In 1987, in a competition sponsored by Keep North Carolina Beautiful, Blowing Rock won second place for most beautiful small town. Col. Koerschner accepted the award on behalf of BRAAC. He was honored with the prestigious Governor's Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service, given for "his work with BRAAC and programs and projects of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club." The award was presented in Greensboro by Governor Jim Hunt who said, "It is your volunteer spirit that makes North Carolina a great place to live and raise a family."
Like many of the "greatest generation" he had a strong sense of duty and high moral standards. Always in pursuit of a better world, he will be remembered for his innovative sprit and his dedication to the beauty and preservation of nature.
Col. Koerschner is survived by one son, William F. Koerschner, III and wife, Robyn, of Farmington, New Mexico; one daughter, Carol Ann Rothberg and husband, Burton, of Princeton, New Jersey; one grandson, Justin Rothberg of New York City; two granddaughters, Kathryn Koerschner of Farmington, New Mexico, and Zoe Rothberg of New York City; and his dear friend and companion of eight years, Carolyn Beattie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Elizabeth Mercher Koerschner; his father and mother, William F. Koerschner, Sr. and Hannah Hunsicker Koerschner; and one sister.
At his request, there will be no memorial or funeral services for Col. Koerschner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in his memory, to The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter, 4705 University Drive, Suite 290, Durham, N.C. 27707.
Son of William F. KOERSCHNER, Sr. and Hannah HUNSICKER. Married Martha Elizabeth "Marty" MERCHER.
Watauga Democrat Obituary:
Col. William F. Koerschner, Jr., US Air Force (Retired), 88, of Wonderland Drive, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and attended Akron University where he met his future wife Marty. Upon graduating, he was called to duty and spent World War II, training fighter pilots. Later in his career he was assigned to a highly classified unit charged with obtaining samples of all foreign nuclear detonations. In 1961, Col. Koerschner was operations chief when the Russians detonated 33 warheads in just over 40 days. These were all atmospheric tests.
After a career of 30 years, Col. Koerschner retired with his wife Marty to Hampton Roads, Va. Several years later, they payed a visit to Bill and Joyce Mason in Blowing Rock. The four of them had been stationed in Japan together after the war. The Koerschners immediately fell in love with Blowing Rock. Two weeks later they sold their house and moved here. Bill and Marty (who received the Blowing Rock Woman of the Year award in 1987) devoted themselves to volunteer work in the town. A longtime member of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club, Bill also founded and directed the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Committee (BRAAC) for 25 years.
The appearance of Blowing Rock today, with its profusion of flowers, attractive lamp post lighting and tasteful signage was brought about largely by his vision. Each year thousands of flowers are planted in hanging baskets, window boxes, flower beds, and at all the entrances to town. Many of these areas were formerly weedy plots. In the beginning many of the flowers were watered by "the Co." himself. He could be seen about town, two trash bins of water in the hatchback of his car, or wielding a weedwacker at the 321 bypass into Blowing Rock.
He was also a frequent letter writer, firing off missives to the DOT regarding their use of a "roto-riper" on the roadsides. The utility company was also on his "list" for the severe tree damage caused by their poor trimming practices. Recently, he finally won a protracted battle to clean up the metal junk pile along 321 into Boone.
In 1987, in a competition sponsored by Keep North Carolina Beautiful, Blowing Rock won second place for most beautiful small town. Col. Koerschner accepted the award on behalf of BRAAC. He was honored with the prestigious Governor's Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service, given for "his work with BRAAC and programs and projects of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club." The award was presented in Greensboro by Governor Jim Hunt who said, "It is your volunteer spirit that makes North Carolina a great place to live and raise a family."
Like many of the "greatest generation" he had a strong sense of duty and high moral standards. Always in pursuit of a better world, he will be remembered for his innovative sprit and his dedication to the beauty and preservation of nature.
Col. Koerschner is survived by one son, William F. Koerschner, III and wife, Robyn, of Farmington, New Mexico; one daughter, Carol Ann Rothberg and husband, Burton, of Princeton, New Jersey; one grandson, Justin Rothberg of New York City; two granddaughters, Kathryn Koerschner of Farmington, New Mexico, and Zoe Rothberg of New York City; and his dear friend and companion of eight years, Carolyn Beattie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Elizabeth Mercher Koerschner; his father and mother, William F. Koerschner, Sr. and Hannah Hunsicker Koerschner; and one sister.
At his request, there will be no memorial or funeral services for Col. Koerschner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in his memory, to The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter, 4705 University Drive, Suite 290, Durham, N.C. 27707.
Watauga Democrat Obituary:
Col. William F. Koerschner, Jr., US Air Force (Retired), 88, of Wonderland Drive, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and attended Akron University where he met his future wife Marty. Upon graduating, he was called to duty and spent World War II, training fighter pilots. Later in his career he was assigned to a highly classified unit charged with obtaining samples of all foreign nuclear detonations. In 1961, Col. Koerschner was operations chief when the Russians detonated 33 warheads in just over 40 days. These were all atmospheric tests.
After a career of 30 years, Col. Koerschner retired with his wife Marty to Hampton Roads, Va. Several years later, they payed a visit to Bill and Joyce Mason in Blowing Rock. The four of them had been stationed in Japan together after the war. The Koerschners immediately fell in love with Blowing Rock. Two weeks later they sold their house and moved here. Bill and Marty (who received the Blowing Rock Woman of the Year award in 1987) devoted themselves to volunteer work in the town. A longtime member of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club, Bill also founded and directed the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Committee (BRAAC) for 25 years.
The appearance of Blowing Rock today, with its profusion of flowers, attractive lamp post lighting and tasteful signage was brought about largely by his vision. Each year thousands of flowers are planted in hanging baskets, window boxes, flower beds, and at all the entrances to town. Many of these areas were formerly weedy plots. In the beginning many of the flowers were watered by "the Co." himself. He could be seen about town, two trash bins of water in the hatchback of his car, or wielding a weedwacker at the 321 bypass into Blowing Rock.
He was also a frequent letter writer, firing off missives to the DOT regarding their use of a "roto-riper" on the roadsides. The utility company was also on his "list" for the severe tree damage caused by their poor trimming practices. Recently, he finally won a protracted battle to clean up the metal junk pile along 321 into Boone.
In 1987, in a competition sponsored by Keep North Carolina Beautiful, Blowing Rock won second place for most beautiful small town. Col. Koerschner accepted the award on behalf of BRAAC. He was honored with the prestigious Governor's Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service, given for "his work with BRAAC and programs and projects of the Blowing Rock Rotary Club." The award was presented in Greensboro by Governor Jim Hunt who said, "It is your volunteer spirit that makes North Carolina a great place to live and raise a family."
Like many of the "greatest generation" he had a strong sense of duty and high moral standards. Always in pursuit of a better world, he will be remembered for his innovative sprit and his dedication to the beauty and preservation of nature.
Col. Koerschner is survived by one son, William F. Koerschner, III and wife, Robyn, of Farmington, New Mexico; one daughter, Carol Ann Rothberg and husband, Burton, of Princeton, New Jersey; one grandson, Justin Rothberg of New York City; two granddaughters, Kathryn Koerschner of Farmington, New Mexico, and Zoe Rothberg of New York City; and his dear friend and companion of eight years, Carolyn Beattie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Elizabeth Mercher Koerschner; his father and mother, William F. Koerschner, Sr. and Hannah Hunsicker Koerschner; and one sister.
At his request, there will be no memorial or funeral services for Col. Koerschner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in his memory, to The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter, 4705 University Drive, Suite 290, Durham, N.C. 27707.
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