Col. Koerschner

Col. William F. Koerschner, Jr., US Air Force (Retired), age 88, of Wonderland Drive, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 16 at his home.
Col Koerschner was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and attended Akron University where he met his future wife, Marty. Upon graduating, he was called to military 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, Virginia. 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 in Virginia 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 Commission (BRAAC) in 1978. That award winning organization celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
The appearance of Blowing Rock today, with its profusion of flowers, attractive lamp post lighting and tasteful signage was brought about largely by Col Koerschner’s vision. Each year thousands of flowers are planted in hanging baskets, window boxes, flower bed, 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 Col.” 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 honors 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 spirit 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 Princetown, 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 service.
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.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Sharpe

Patrick Massey “P.M.” Sharpe, age 73, a longtime estate-planning attorney in Mount Airy and Blowing Rock, died unexpectedly Sunday morning at his home on West Pine Street in Mt. Airy.
P.M. was born October 30, 1934, in Greensboro and attended the Georgia Military Academy (now Woodward Academy) in Atlanta. He then attended Wake Forest College in Wake Forest and was a member of the college’s first graduating class after it moved to Winston-Salem. He received his law degree from Wake Forest in 1959, the same year he and his beloved wife, Julia Teachey Sharpe, were married.
Mr. Sharpe was an assistant to the North Carolina commissioner of revenue from 1959 to 1960. From 1960 to 1964 he was employed as a trust officer for First Citizens Bank and Trust Co. in Raleigh and in Fayetteville.
In 1964, P.M. and his family moved to Mount Airy and he joined the law firm of Woltz and Faw. He established his own firm in 1982 and maintained a private law practice in Mount Airy and Blowing Rock until April of 2006.
At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Gilmer Smith Foundation in Mount Airy. He had been a member of the Board of Directors for the Surry Community College Foundation from 1980 until 1986 and was chairman from 1983 to 1986. He also had served as a trustee for the Blowing Rock Community Foundation and the Blowing Rock Stage Company, both in Blowing Rock, and as a member of the Mount Airy Library Board in the 1970s, stepping down when his wife was named Librarian/
Mr. Sharpe was recognized by the Surry County Coalition on Aging with an Outstanding Service for Seniors Award.
While he lived in Mount Airy, Mr. Sharpe attended First Baptist Church. He served as church moderator in the 1960s and as a member of the E.G. Wynne Sunday School class took great pride in the community outreach the class provided.
Reflecting his expertise in, and fascination with, computers, he was at one time a member of the N.C. Bar Association’s Technology Committee and chairman of its subcommittee on automation. At an early time he used computers in his law practice and also wrote programs for use in the public library.
P.M. was also an avid photographer and shared his skill and photographs with friends and neighbors in both Mount Airy and Blowing Rock.
He was also a generous supporter of many charities, and especially compassionate to needy children, many of whom were the recipient of his private gifts made to their welfare through a teacher, or family friend.
Mr. Sharpe made no secret of his fondness of cats, most recently Fievel and Milo and, before that, Buff, Buff and Sass. Often those visiting his law office would find his companions privileged to his daily business routine.
In addition to his wife, Julia, P.M. is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Laura Sharpe and Joe Solano of South Pasadena, California, and Amy Sharpe and George Slade of Monument Beach, Mass; one granddaughter, Amelia Solano of South Pasadena; two sisters, Patricia Owsley of New Port Richey, Florida and Louise Prince of Burlington; three nieces, Paula Harris of Durham, Lynn Williams of Newton Grove and Terri Hitchcock of New Port Richey; two nephews, David Teachey of Charlotte and Kevin Teachey of Surfside Beach, S.C.; and four great-nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be considered to Friends Feeding Friends, First Baptist Church, 714 N. Main Street, Mount Airy, N.C. 27030, or to Surry Medical Ministries Clinic, P.O. Box 349, Mount Airy, N.C. 27030.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, April 23 at the First Baptist Church in Mount Airy, with Dr. Roger Gilbert officiating.
Moody Funeral Service of Mount Airy was in charge of the arrangements, and online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.

Mrs. Winkler

Mrs. Barbara McKaraher Winkler, age 65, of 315 Bear Pen Ridge Park Road, Blowing Rock, and St. Augustine, Florida, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at her home.
Mrs. Winkler was born March 21, 1943 in Watauga County, a daughter of Mary Coffey Lawrence and the late George McKaraher. She attended Appalachian Elementary and graduated from Appalachian High School in Boone. She was a former resident of Norfolk, Virginia, New London, Connecticut, and Portsmouth, Virginia. Mrs. Winkler was a retired assistant to the Dean of the College of Arts and Science at Appalachian State University, and was of the Presbyterian faith.
In addition to her mother, Mrs. Winkler is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Winkler, of the home; two sons, William Lee Winkler, Jr. and wife Janta of Boone, Chris Winkler and wife Jennifer of Seattle, Washington; one grandson, Christopher Winkler of Seattle, Washington; two granddaughters, Ann Winkler of Boone and Rebecca Grace Winkler of Seattle, Washington; one sister, Linda K. McKaraher of Bethlehem; one brother, Dr. Charles W. McKaraher and wife Anne of Hickory, and one brother-in-law, Dickie Winkler of Deep gap. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Jack Winkler.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barbara McKaraher Winkler were conducted Sunday afternoon, April 20, 2008, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was Reverend Melanie Childers. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, P.O. Box 2600, Boone, NC 28607 or to a Charity of the Doners Choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the Winkler family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service of Boone was in charge of the arrangements.