Keith Paul Bersticker

Aiken--Keith Paul Bersticker, 59, died Monday, December 29, 2008 at his residence. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at Shellhouse Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mark Cerniglia officiating. Mr. Bersticker was born in Toledo, OH to Herman and the late Wilma Bersticker. He graduated from Bowsher High School in 1967. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1971. He served with distinction as a nuclear engineer in the United States Navy for 28 years and retired with the rank of Captain. In that time, he was decorated for his accomplishments as the chief reactor officer of the USS Enterprise, executive officer of the USS Virginia, and commanding officer of the USS Bagley and USS Long Beach. For the last 10 years, Keith worked as a senior technical safety advisor in nuclear power. Keith was an avid sports enthusiast and loved running, golfing, bicycling, and cheering for his favorite teams (Go Heels!). He also loved music and cooking. Survivors include his loving wife, Beverely Smith Bersticker; father, Herman Bersticker, Toledo, OH; daughters, Kristen (Robert) Fox, Charlotte, NC; Laura (Brian) Justice, St. Simons Island, GA; son, Brian (Beth Marushak) Bersticker, Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Nicholas Fox, Margaret Fox, Samuel Fox; former wife, Anita Bersticker, Elizabeth City, NC; brother, Neil (Carol) Bersticker; nephew, Paul Bersticker, Toledo, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance, University of Massachusetts/Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, 333 South Street Shrewsbury, Mass., 01545. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM Friday prior to the service at Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc., 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC 29801. Please visit our online registry at http://shellhousefuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Paul Bersticker, please visit our flower store.