Walter Sol Berkman

Much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend – Walter S. Berkman passed away on September 25, 2026 at the age of 98 comfortably at home, surrounded by family, just after celebrating his 71st anniversary.

Walter was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 18, 1928 to Dr. Anna R. Manitoff and Dr. Boris Berkman. His sister, Helen, sang with the New York City Center Opera Company.

After graduating in 1950 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Walter enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to Sasebo, Japan, onward to the Korean Peninsula, where he served on the USS Stormes, which was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer that earned three battle stars for her active service in the Korean War.

Flying home in 1952 – en route to the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport Rhode Island – Walter stopped over in Los Angeles, where he met Charlotte Baer, who became his wife on August 28, 1955 and mother of their two sons, Paul in 1958 and Bruce in 1961.

Walter and Charlotte settled near the beach in Southern CA, with their sons in 1965. During those early family years, Walter switched careers and became a stock broker, which he continued productively until age of 83 with firms that included Schwabacher, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

Walter loved his family and was kind, as well as generous. Waking up in the middle of the night, he shared early Apollo rocket launches with his young sons. Dad regularly came to Paul’s track meets in High School, many years after helping to straighten his son’s feet. Dad loved to fish with both of his sons and instilled their lifelong love of the outdoors. Many amazing adventures around the world were shared by the family. Among the most cherished times were the many summers in the Sierras.

Walter was nearly unbeatable in table tennis, which was often played in their house garage. He enjoyed taking his sons to witness the opening of ping-pong diplomacy in the early 1970’s.

In 2021, after 56 years, Walter and Charlotte moved to Santa Barbara, where he greatly enjoyed the weekly bridge and poker games.

Walter is survived by his wife of 71 years – Charlotte Thekla Berkman – along with Bruce Berkman from Taipei, Taiwan, and Prof. Paul Arthur Berkman from Falmouth, Massachusetts. Walter is missed by his daughters-in-law, Dr. Julie Anne Hambrook Berkman (Paul’s wife) and Wendy Fulton (Bruce’s wife). With his granddaughters, Walter was Popop, whose loving memories will live on with Kathryn Thekla Berkman, Anna Carina Berkman and Alida Van Gelderen.

Walter, we love you.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.