Henry J. Berthelot

West Point, 1967

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dean M. Berthelot on May 26, 2016:

Our family grieves at the loss of the great patriarch of the Berthelot family. Dad passed away at his home in New Orleans last Monday due to complications with his tracheotomy that was a result from his injuries sustained in Vietnam 48 years prior. Dad was a great man, husband and father. He wanted to be a career military officer, the Vietnamese did not share that sentiment. Dad loved the Army, loved West Point and lived his life in a manner that would do both proud. My father was my hero. Many of his closest friends were classmates from West Point and comrades in arms that he met while recovering from his injuries and his many surgeries. Dad remained close to many and kept in touch with many more. I remember how proud he was when he was able to take us to West Point many years ago, remembering his time there. I have seen comments written about Dad that referred to him as Smiling Hank. That smile never faded. I can still see his smile and hear him laugh when I close my eyes. Dad loved life and knew how to enjoy it. Dad married Mom, LaVon, in the West Point Chapel on June 08, 1967. I love to still look at the picture of him and Mom coming out from the chapel, newly married and walking under the crossed sabers of his friends and classmates. That picture has been in our house, as a focal point, for as long as I can remember. He and mom were looking forward to their 49th anniversary and were even beginning to plan for the 50th with the entire family. He fathered 3 boys and raised them to be respectful and successful members of society. He was the proud grandfather of 5 children who loved him as much as he loved them. He will be missed every day forward. After being injured in Vietnam, we eventually settled in New Orleans, La. Dad graduated from Tulane law school. He retired young from Freeport McMoran as an oil and gas attorney. He then went on to focus on his hobby of Postal research and collecting. He and Mom traveled the world and had a blast together. He loved meeting new "friends" in all corners of the globe and we all loved the stories and enthusiasm that they were told with. His last travel was the two weeks prior to his passing when he and Mom went to Scotland and had an amazing trip. Love and humor were a part of that trip, as they were such a part of his life. Dad was the kindest, most humble and compassionate person I have ever known. A lot of that has been passed to his children and grandchildren. He was smart, wise, knowledgeable and fun to be around. He would light up a room and make everyone feel comfortable. He will be missed every day by family and friends. He loved to laugh, joke and smile. He was the eternal optimist. He lived life with no regrets and lived it to the fullest. As a buddy of his wrote in his eulogy to Dad on our Facebook site, "Hank was serious about life, just not his lot in it". I love that quote. Dad's funeral service was a testament to his life. It was well attended and well respected in the community. The class of '67 sent a beautiful spray of red flowers, the only spray from which we saved and pressed flowers. he had a few classmates in attendance as well. for that, our family is eternally grateful. Dad is smiling down on us all. God must have needed a leader and a warrior in heaven, taking Dad before we were ready to let him go. Dad lived my life with his injuries, remaining strong, happy and vibrant until the end. I will have no memories of him frail, weak and suffering, for that I am blessed. Dad is, was, and always will be the best man I know. He is a role model with little parallel. Dad, I love you and will do all I can to make you proud as I carry on our legacy in this world. Until we are all together again ... Love...Dean PS. Dad loved to tell stories and jokes, to share and laugh and to be a part of us all. If you have memories and stories to share, my brothers and I would love to hear them. we will check this site often and respond in like. Thank you

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