Lee Allen Bertman

Lee Allen Bertman, age 83, absolutely loved flying any kind of airplane and  had six different planes over the years.  On Tuesday, June 9, 2026 he made the most beautiful landing he has ever made when he passed from this life from his home in Vero Beach, Florida.

Lee was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived in many different locations in the USA and throughout the world, before settling in Vero Beach in 2001.

He served in the US Army, earning him the Combat Infantryman Badge during his service in Vietnam.  He later served more than 20 years with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Aviation program, flying thousands of mission hours as well as serving as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner.

He was highly patriotic and proud of his Country and the service he rendered.  In addition to his Coast Guard work, Lee was an active member of the Navy League of the Treasure Coast and the Florida Aero Club.  He was also a member of Quail Valley River Club.

A man who loved learning, Lee graduated magna cum laude in Economics from Cornell University and continued his education earning an M.A. in Economics and M.S. in Civil Engineering at Northwestern University, as well as an M.S. in Accounting from Georgetown University.

Lee’s early careers including selling aircraft for Israel Aircraft Industries; being on the  technical staff at MITRE Corp; and serving as Director of Capital Planning at Conrail.  He was also a CPA.  He established and operated his own cable television systems for over 30 years in both the US and the Caribbean.

Upon retirement Lee taught part time for 12 years as an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Indian River State College. It gave Lee great pleasure to help students understand how economics was useful in their daily decisions, not just a required college course.

Lee’s passing is mourned by his wife of 33 years, Suzanne E. Bertman. Additionally he is survived by his sons: Adam Bertman; Daniel Bertman; Michael (Leigh) Bertman; Jonathan (Sarah) Bertman; his two stepchildren: Christian (Lindsay) Etzold and Ingrid Etzold.; and his younger sister Michele (Craig) Suchland.  He was blessed with five grandchildren he adored: Eliana, Mathilda, Alexander, Emily, and Evelyn.  He was predeceased by his parents and his first sister, Lynn.

The family is having a private burial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery which Lee himself chose to be close to flying and space exploration.  A  Celebration of Life, will be held in the near future for extended family and friends and details will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Treasure Coast Council of the Navy League, PO Box 643845, Vero Beach, FL 32964 or the  United States Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Rd, Stonington, CT 06378.  Donations can also be made online.

Funeral arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL.