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Kerman Copley, a part-time pharmacist's technician at Brown-Gardiner drugstore, couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a long-lost Army buddy getting a prescription filled.

He hadn't seen Leonard Berman in 63 years.

Copley was at the lunch counter in the drug store when he saw his old friend.

After Berman and his wife left the drugstore, Copley dashed to the computer to make sure he was right. He read the name on the prescription filled: Dr. Leonard Berman.

"I don't believe I can describe my senses at that moment," Copley said. "I was so stunned that I did not try to fill any prescriptions for about 30 minutes."

Later that day, Copley called Berman and said, "Lenny, I am your old Army buddy and friend, Kerman Copley, and I have photos to prove it. Let me go home and get the pictures. I will meet you in the lobby where you live," Abbotswood Retirement Community at Irving Park on North Elm Street.

"Come on over!" Berman replied.

Copley smiled as he recalled the conversation. "Lennie sounded just as I remembered him."

After more than six decades, Copley still considers Berman one of the top 10 friends he has ever known and was very anxious to see him again. Over the years, he had tried to locate him, but all attempts had failed until this chance encounter.

Berman said he was stunned beyond words when he received the call from Copley. "The feeling was indescribable and unbelievable to hear from my Army buddy after these many years," he said.

Back in the Army, Berman said he and Copley were together all day, every day for more than six months at Camp Atterbury near Indianapolis, where they were enrolled in the Army's Medical Lab Tech School.

"Only someone in the Army can know how close you can become and how deep a friendship can develop while serving together at Camp Atterbury," Copley said.

He remembers Berman as a "very pleasant and consoling person." As pre-med students, he felt they were fortunate to study at Atterbury, considered the best tech school in the Army.

After their six-month training, the two men went separate ways. Berman was sent to the Philippines as a medic and Copley was sent to California.

They were soon discharged, and each returned to complete their university education. Copley, a North Carolina native from Durham, enrolled at Duke and became a business major.

Later, Copley tried to locate Berman through service records, but could never find him.

In 1955, Copley's Blue Cross job transferred him from Durham to Greensboro. He liked living here so much he decided to stay.

Later, he became a Greensboro Realtor for 35 years. On his doctor's advice, he stopped real estate after 12 major operations and three heart attacks in a short period of time. His doctor advised him to find part-time work he would enjoy.

So he decided to return to his original love of medicine and became a licensed pharmacist's technician at Brown-Gardiner. He has worked there 13 years and said he loves his job.

Copley is well-known throughout the community for his outgoing, friendly personality and personal attention to those he serves.

During his more active years, Copley served on the board of the Greensboro Symphony, was past president of the UNCG musical arts guild, past president of the Greensboro Lyric Theater, past president of Joyner School PTA, worked at the night shelter of Urban Ministry, and was a member of the Greensboro real estate board. He has played tennis since age 8 and is still playing in his 80s.

Berman, a newcomer to Greensboro, was a board-certified physician and had an active practice for 46 years. He lived in Buffalo, N.Y., for many years and then in Florida for more than 30 years before moving to Greensboro. His son, Jeffrey Berman, a local attorney, wanted his parents to live closer to him. Berman's daughter, Lori, has cerebral palsy, and also moved with her parents.

Lori lives in a group home here and attends workshops at RHA Howell Care Center, an organization that provides services for people with disabilities.

Serving as a volunteer at the center, Berman said, "I want to help the staff and help to make Lori's school even better, although it is already a great place."

Berman and Copley have had lunch together and plan an evening out with their wives, Inez Berman and Pat Copley.

"We are both 'getting up there in age' so we hope to have many more visits together - over the next 63 years," Copley said,

To nominate a person who has made a difference in the lives of others in Guilford County, contact Peggy Longmire by e-mail at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or call her at 288-9040.