Bernard W. Gratzer III, 72, died at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, KY, on Thursday, March 24. Ben was a graduate of Eastern High School in Louisville, and the Citadel Military College in Charleston, SC. He proudly served his country in the US Army. His service included a tour in Germany and two tours in Vietnam and he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was the Executive Director of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants for 31 years, retiring in 2003. Ben gave generously of his time and was involved in many organizations. He volunteered at Sacred Heart Village, played the trombone in the University of Louisville Community Band, served on the YMCA Board of Directors, was a Life Member of the Middletown VFW Post 1170, and was extremely active in his parish, St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Pewee Valley, KY. Ben was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Laura Kathleen; his parents; his sisters, Norma Nieling and Betty Pitsenberger; and his brother, Bob Gratzer. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Valerie; his daughters, Kelly Gratzer Thaler (Jim), Mary Elizabeth Gratzer; his granddaughter, Elizabeth Rose Thaler; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. on Monday, March 28th at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Pewee Valley and burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Sunday, March 27th at Pearson-Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be made to either Hosparus of Lousville www.hosparus.org or the Citadel Foundation http://foundation.cita del.edu. Tags: 1960
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