Lieutenant Colonel Bernard "Bernie" Verbout, of Portland, OR, passed away of natural causes on March 25 ^th , 2023. He was 91 years old.

Bernie was born on February 14 ^th , 1932 to Cecelia and Alphonso Verbout in Florian, Minnesota. The family moved to Linnton, OR that same year, where Bernie attended Linnton Grade School and Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1950. He joined the Oregon Air National Guard to serve in the Korean War, and was activated in early 1951. He was assigned to Hamilton Air Force base in San Rafael, CA. Bernie returned to Portland on leave in August of 1951 to marry his high school sweetheart, Anita Marine.

Bernie and Anita made Portland their home when Bernie was released from active duty, and had three children; Karen, David and Mary. Bernie joined the Oregon Air National Guard full time, and his career in the Air National Guard spanned the next 40 years. Bernie rose to the position of Director of Personnel, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1987, Bernie was selected by the National Guard Bureau as the number one Military Personnel Manager in the United States, and his office was selected as the number one Military Personnel Office in 1988.

In his personal life, Bernie was an active member of the Catholic church, serving as a Third Degree Knight of Columbus, Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Administrative Council at Holy Cross Church in North Portland.

After retiring in 1992, Bernie and Anita split their time each year between their home in Portland, and their beautiful beach house in Cannon Beach, OR.

Bernie was predeceased by his parents, Cecelia and Alphonso Verbout, and his brothers, Mike, Alphonso and John. He is survived by his wife Anita, his sister Rita Pedersen, his children Karen Lynn, David Verbout and Mary Scroggins, his grandchildren Casey Lynn, Stephanie Scroggins and Madysen Verbout, and his great grandson Maverick Scroggins.

Services will be held at Holy Cross church in North Portland on April 21 ^st , 2023 at 11:00am.