Capt. George E. Distelhurst, U.S. Navy (ret.), 99, died Nov. 30, 2009 at Indian River Estates.
He was born May 6, 1910 in New York and moved to Vero Beach in 1978 from Silver Spring, Md.
Capt. Distelhurst retired in 1973. He was a graduate of Polytechnic University with a degree in Civil Engineering and was a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and the District of Columbia. He served in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps during World War II in Seabee Construction Battalions in the Pacific Theater and in Navy Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the design of aviation facilities and hospitals. After his active Navy service he was Assistant Director of Design of Veterans Administration hospitals and Director of the Construction Research Staff. Capt. Distelhurst was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Building Research Advisory Board. Upon his retirement he received the National Academy of Sciences’ Distinguished Services Award and the U.S. Government distinguished Career Award. He was a member of the Association of Navy Civil Engineer Corps officers, the Polytechnic University Alumni Association, the Navy Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association, the Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, Va., The U.S. Navy CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation and St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Rock Creek Parish, Washington, D.C.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and leaves no immediate family survivors.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2009 at the Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A Funeral Service will be held at 6 p.m. with Chaplain Richard Flick Officiating.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. with full military honors. Services will be held in the Ft. Meyer Chapel, Arlington, on a later date.
