Survivors include his wife Anne, son Alec Oesterling and wife Deb of Cary, granddaughters, Abby and Jaime Oesterling, three sisters in law, Emily Messier and husband Ron, Marion Poythress and husband Gene, Virginia England and partner Bob Marsh, nieces Alex and Missy Ruffner, nephew Jody Ruffner and great niece Mary Elizabeth Ruffner.
Bert lived and grew up in Durham, New Jersey. He graduated from New York University in 1937 and went to work for the Home Insurance Company. His military career began when he joined the National Guard in 1939 and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the US Army Air Corps where he served as a navigator. In 1944, Bert’s B24 Liberator bomber was shot down over Austria and he was captured by German soldiers. In 1945, General Patton and his army captured the camp in Mooseberg, Germany, and Bert was freed. Later that year, Bert was discharged as a Captain and awarded the Air Medal and several commendations.
In 1944, Bert made a promise to God that he would go into the ministry. He had survived the famous flu epidemic of WWI, a drop from a temperamental military parachute and his experience as a Prisoner of War. “God had bigger plans for me,” Bert said. In 1980, at the age of 65, Bert was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church where he served the congregation of St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida for fifteen years. During this time, Bert married Anne Greene, and the two moved to Cary where he became a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary in 2000. There, Bert served faithfully as a Lay Minister, lector, usher, Christ Care Equipper and long-time Stephen Minister. He also welcomed opportunities to share his personal history with the students of Resurrection Lutheran School. Bert enjoyed gardening, reading, studying the Bible, and spending time with his family and two granddaughters.
Bert will be forever remembered for his servant’s heart, for his compassion for others and his gentle spirit, and for his love of family and friends -- all reflections of his devotion to his Savior, Jesus Christ. Bert is a dear man who will be missed by many.
Visitation will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, NC at 10 am, Saturday, February 12, 2011, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 am and reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to the Love Fund for families being served by Stephen Ministers at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100 West Lochmere Drive, Cary, NC 27518, or Hospice of Wake County.
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