Mr. Edward R. Herbert Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Edward (Eddie) R. Herbert, 65, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away October 24, 2020 at home, following rapid acceleration of his dementia, with his loving family by his side. He was born April 2, 1955 in Camden, NJ to the late Edward R. & Evelyn (Lynch) Herbert. Ed is also predeceased by his sister Constance Herbert Kerns Farmer and three uncles. Left to cherish Ed’s memory are his beloved wife, Mary (Deighan Wypych Herbert of Myrtle Beach, SC), five children & eight adoring grandchildren: Kirsten (Morrison Schaefer; William; Isabella & Sophia of Richmond, VA); Nicholas Wypych (Melissa Raimondo; Caleb & Jax of Troutville, VA); Daniel Wypych (Kathleen Glynn; Jacob & Katelynn of Myrtle Beach, SC); Melissa (Wypych Kuczynski; Justin; Samantha & Chase of Fulton, MD) and Amanda (Wypych Cannaveno; John of Flanders, NJ). Ed is also survived by his sisters Maureen Herbert Suchora (Donald) and Jacqueline White Gazzara (Joseph), a plethora of nieces and nephews he adored, mentored & hosted throughout his life; and, his aunt Jean Herbert DeAngelis. Ed graduated from Sterling High School (Somerdale, NJ) and would later be inducted into the Sterling High School Alumni Outstanding Achievers Hall of Fame. Following graduation from high school in 1973, Ed joined the New Jersey Air National Guard as a firefighter. He transitioned to the Maryland Air National Guard when he moved to attend the University of Maryland where he ultimately earned his Master of Science Degree. Ed’s civilian career paralleled his military career. In the private sector he served as a firefighter for Stratford, NJ then Montgomery County, MD and would later accept challenges in the field of environmental policy and compliance with Montgomery County, MD, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association then the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Excelling in his field, Ed was recognized throughout his civilian career with numerous commendations awarded in commerce, industry and government. He was most proud to receive the EPA 2006 Trade Association Environmental Leadership Award. Serving in a military career spanning over 35 years, Lieutenant Colonel Edward R. Herbert supported the New Jersey and Maryland Air National Guards, and the Air Force Reserve. He received his commission in 1981, his Certificate of Aeronautical Rating in 1982 and later completed Air Command Staff College and Air War College. Lt Col Herbert served primarily as a C-130 Combat Delivery Airlift Navigator assigned to the Maryland Air National Guard as a drilling guardsman. He logged 4400 flying hours performing worldwide operations in combat and humanitarian missions. He was later assigned to Joint Forces Maryland Headquarters as the Homeland Defense Officer responsible for planning and executing a trained force to respond to domestic terrorism events. Lt Col Herbert was deployed to Al Udeid Air Base Qatar in 2005, then again in 2006. There he served as the Mission Director overseeing operations at the Wing Expeditionary Operations Center for 24/7 C-130 operations. The Mission Director coordinated C-130 Air Tasking execution and scheduling with responsibility for assuring information flows to personnel throughout the Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom & the Horn of Africa Areas of Responsibility. To improve the process, Lt Col Herbert developed new policy guidance and updated existing directions. During his tours, Lt Col Herbert was responsible for the oversight of 4,387 combat sorties, with crews accumulating 10,140 hours of flying time, moving 64,076 passengers and 12,117 tons of cargo throughout the Areas of Responsibility. There were no casualties on his watch. Great credit is given to the men and women flying these missions and to the support staff that took the convoys off of the roads and airlifted personnel and materiel to their destinations safely. Lt Col Herbert transferred to the Air Force Reserve and was recalled September 11th, 2006 to a two-year active duty tour in response to need created by the Global War on Terrorism. In this capacity he was assigned as the Intratheater Mobility Requirements Chief, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, DC. In his free time, Ed enjoyed supporting church ministries, KAIROS Prison Ministry, American Legion outreach events, and exploring history and victual delights with Mary across the globe. At home Pop Pop was a constant source of laughter serving as a jungle gym for his grandchildren and young great nieces and nephews. At any time Ed could be called upon to tour family and friends around Washington, D.C. and Maryland. His knowledge of many of the hidden gems was as good as any professional tour guide. Ed will be deeply missed for his enthusiasm for life, selflessness, dry sense of humor, endurance and strength. Viewings are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Wednesday November 11, 2020 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, 11528 Frontage Rd., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Because of Covid-19 Social Distancing and masks are required. A private family funeral service will follow to celebrate Ed’s life. At a later date, Lt Col Edward R Herbert will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors. To offer words of comfort through the online guestbook, or to access the link for a livestream of Ed’s service during this season of COVID-19, you are invited to visit the website of Goldfinch Funeral Home (goldfinchfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations to Surfside United Methodist Church (800 13th Ave N, Surfside Beach, SC 29575) or American Legion Post 178 (3950 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576). Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, Murrells Inlet, is assisting the family.

Tributes

Mr. Edward R. Herbert

April 2, 1955 - October 24, 2020