Bernie Taubersmith was born on December 6, 1924 in Washington, DC, to Frances Miller Taubersmith and Bernard C. Taubersmith, Sr. He passed into his eternal rest on May 14, 2020 at the FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, surrounded by his devoted children.
He attended the District of Columbia schools, graduating from Anacostia High School. He then joined the United States Army. He worked as a Design Draftsman for the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. for almost 40 years. The NRL was formed to provide research and development in the area of materials science, physics, and electronic warfare. Bernie worked to design parts used in satellites as well as other projects of the Office of Naval Research, some of which predated the functions of NASA.
He married Barbara Ann Brandt in 1947 and they enjoyed 72 happy years together tending to their beloved birds and gardens. Barbara passed away in November, 2019. They were devoted parents to four children, Charles Taubersmith (wife Darlind) of Pinehurst, Kimberly Morrow (husband Michael) of Charlotte, Barbara Lynn Taubersmith of Greenbelt, Maryland, and Jacqueline Herbst (husband Richard) of Wimberly, Texas. A young daughter, Alice, passed-away in 1957. He was a proud grandfather of Brandt Morrow of Raleigh, Jared Morrow (wife Hannah and great granddaughter Preslee), of Apex and Erik and Kyle Herbst of Wimberly, Texas.
The Taubersmith Family lived in the Washington, DC, area for many years, having been married in and belonging to the Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. The family tradition was to visit the many museums and monuments after church services each Sunday, thus enriching the lives of their children, first-hand, with the history of America.
Upon his retirement from federal service, they moved to Pinellas Park, Florida, where they lived for 20 years before moving to Pinehurst in 2006 to be nearer their grown children. They were regular members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, where they made many friends and volunteered.
Bernie was very well-known in the wood carving circles for his intricate sculptures and design work, as a master wood carver. An avid cycler and swimmer, he was often seen doing daily laps at the FirstHealth Fitness Center, well into his 90’s.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who assisted the family over the past few years, including those at Elmcroft, Quail Haven and Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations could be made in his memory to a charity of choice. Currently, details are unavailable.
Condolences may be made at: PinesFunerals.com.
