Colonel Kathleen Marie Herberger

Born on March 26, 1961 in Washington, DC, Kathy was younger sister to Sharon Myrick, twin to Susan Mosedale, and older sister to David McCaffrey III. She was the child of David McCaffrey, Jr. and Betty McCaffrey.

After graduating from Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD, Kathy went on to achieve a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland, Baltimore. She started her career as a RN before she was commissioned into the U.S. Army, where she served for over 24 years as an Army Nurse and achieved the rank of Colonel. During her service, Kathy earned a Bronze Star for service in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, in addition to sixteen other service medals and awards.

Kathy started her military career at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and became a Nurse Practitioner. She deployed to Bosnia for Operation Joint Endeavor (1996), deployed to New Orleans, LA in response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita as part of the medical response team (August-October 2005), and spent 13 months in Afghanistan (2006-2007). She was also stationed in Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Germany. Kathy attended the Army War College and graduated in 2009. At the end of her career, she spent time at the Pentagon and retired from the Defense Health Agency Headquarters as a Special Assistant to the Surgeon General of the United States Army.

After retiring from the military, Kathy continued to work as a NP and provided expert care to military personnel at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. From 2020-2021, she served as the president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland (NPAM) advocating for the profession she dedicated her career to.

Kathy loved taking care of people. She had the best sense of humor, she was endlessly friendly, one of the kindest people you have ever met - she made friends wherever she went.

Kathy has two daughters, Sarah and Katie, with ex-husband Chuck Herberger with whom she remained lifelong friends. Sarah and Katie were Kathy’s pride and joy. The three women were a force - best friends, avid conversationalists, adventurers, and animal lovers.

Kathy had many passions. She was extraordinary. She was a mother, sister, daughter, aunt, dog mom, friend, colleague, caregiver, volunteer, Super Plunger, Special Olympics coach, world traveler, Kappa Alpha Theta sister, comedian, stealth photo bomber, musician, singer, artist, cyclist, gardener, lover of all things Disney, wildlife, and so much more.

Kathy faced her treatment with notorious humor. She oftentimes provided encouraging words and comforted her caregivers when she reached the end of her treatment phases without the outcome hoped for. She inspired her doctors and nurses.

Kathy is survived by her two daughters, Sarah Herberger and Katie Herberger, and her siblings Sharon, Susan, and David (Suzanne). She was deeply loved by Chuck Herberger and her loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, nephew Jimmy Myrick Jr., and her dear friend and brother-in-law Jim Myrick.

Kathy will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will share information about that service when available.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the World Wildlife Fund in Kathy’s name.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Kathy’s team at the University of Maryland Medical Center for their compassion and care during this time.

Kathy’s warmth, laughter, and love will remain forever in our hearts.