Bernard Roy
Pierce
Poughkeepsie - Bernard Roy Pierce, born August 1, 1947 in Ogdensburg, NY has passed at
the age of 65. Bernie was one of 8 sons to Merrill and Lourene Pierce. He
and his wife June Kelley (Pierce), married in 1964, built a loving family
with their daughters Lisa Rieckermann and Lori Abendschein.
While building his family, Bernie studied and graduated from Clarkson
University in 1970 with both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science
degrees in mathematics.
In the same year he began his career with IBM, where he was most
recently employed as Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM), reserved for the
top two percent of IBM employees, for System z Hardware Development, zOS
Programming, and Performance Analysis.
For a number of years, between his terms of employment with IBM, Bernie
also worked with Candle Corporation as a principal consultant in Candle's
Consulting and Services organization.
Over his programming career of 42 years, Bernie was a leader and
innovator in performance analysis and design for both Candle Corporation and
IBM. He led teams of consultants who focused on performance and capacity
issues for the Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS) platform and the Parallel
Sysplex environment. These inventions, generally known as the "true ready
queue" and "reduced preemption," were instrumental to the scalability of
symmetric multiprocessors.
Additionally, Bernie was a frequent speaker at SHARE, GUIDE and other
conferences on subjects related to MVS performance and capacity. He was also
a featured speaker at the Candle Performance Conference in Germany and at
Candle educational seminars in Europe and the United States.
His articles on systems management, systems analysis, system design and
capacity and performance were published with the Computer Measurement Group
(CMG), for which he delivered many presentations. He has also written two
series of articles on MVS Workload Manager, and MVS Dispatching Management
for the Candle Computer Report.
For his work and innovations, he earned over twenty patents and was
distinctly recognized in being the named recipient of the prestigious Albert
Abraham Michelson Award at the 24th annual international conference of the
CMG December 9, 1998.
Bernie was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather, adored by
his 4 grandsons, Noah and Caleb Rieckermann, and Aidan and Ian Abendschein.
He greatly embraced his extended family, Christopher Klabes, Kimberly Davis,
and a host of loving and caring friends.
There will be a memorial service at Timothy Doyle Funeral Home at 371 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie on Wednesday, October 10th at 10 a.m. Following the service, the family will receive friends and family until 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations be made to the local food bank
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I was deeply saddened to hear about this. I worked with Bernie for many years. He was one of the nicest and brightest people I knew. His contributions are almost legendary. He will be sorely missed by his friends, acquaintances, and the computing community.
Allan Meritt
January 7, 2014
What a shock to hear of Bernie's passing via an article by Bob Rogers. We were friends from SHARE beginning in the early 1980s. He was a great guy and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
John Sullivan
February 28, 2013
June,
I am so sorry for your terrible loss..My heart goes out to you and your family..
Kathleen Lawrence
November 5, 2012
June,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Ellen Makow
November 4, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. So sorry to hear of your loss.
Ellen Makow
November 4, 2012
June -
I just read this about Bernie. I am so sorry for your loss. Get some rest and take care of yourself.
Kathi Knickerbocker
October 26, 2012
I would like to express to all of you who wrote on Bernie's behalf. These messages mean a great deal to us in our time of sorrow. So many names that I recognize; so many colleagues and friends that Bernie admired and spoke so fondly of. The outpour of affection for him would have astounded him. He was indeed, a humble man.
You have given Bernie a fitting tribute to a very dedicated career that he loved. Thank you from our family. I hope to contact you but kindly give me a bit of time as my list is long and we are struggling to accept this tremendous loss.
Thank you all again for your condolences and heartfelt messages.
June, Lisa and Lori
October 20, 2012
June, we are so sorry to hear of Bernie's passing. Our heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Aunt Vel & Uncle
Hugh
October 15, 2012
I've known Bernie for over 30 years. Worked with him at IBM, then Candle, then we both ended up back at IBM in Poughkeepsie. A great guy! One of the best and brightest to be sure.
Bob
Bob Gatski
October 14, 2012
Dear June, Lisa and Lori and family,
My sincerest condolences for your loss. I have such fond memories of Bernie, who was always such a gentleman and patient with us as kids. So saddened by this news and thinking of you all.
Megan McPeake Rodriguez
October 14, 2012
June and Family, I am so sorry about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, George Dunlop class of 65 MW Central
October 12, 2012
Dear June,
Meegan and I were saddened to read of your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Chris and Meegan Shave
Chris Shave
October 12, 2012
June and Family,
I feel so sorry for your lost. I had the pleasure of working with Bernie for many years at IBM. I always looked forward to traveling with him to the CMG conferences and visiting customers. He will be missed.
Bob Creedon
October 12, 2012
Dear Lori & Family: My thoughts and prayers are with at this very sad time. As long as you have memories, he will live on forever in your hearts.
Carol Dipper
October 12, 2012
I just learned and am deeply saddened by his sudden passing. My best condolences to his family and only hope the best for them RIP Bernie you will be missed by many
Rich Gasiorowski
October 11, 2012
I have worked with Bernie at IBM for several years and respected him for his technical skills and professionalism. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to the family.
Padmini Prasad
October 11, 2012
Sending my prayers for comfort and peace to June, Lisa & Lori and family following the loss of Bernie. Although he is my cousin, I did not have awareness of his remarkable talent in his professional life. I only knew of his kindness, and his love and devotion to his family. Rest in peace, Bernie - see you later.
With love,
Karen
Karen Nolan
October 10, 2012
I am very sorry to hear this news. He was one of the best and brightest. I looked to him to solve the biggest and most difficult problems- he always came through.
guy harrison
October 10, 2012
Like so many others, I worked with Bernie when I was at IBM. I never worked closely with him for any length of time, but instead consulted with him on specific problems. He was always patient and very approachable even though there were great demands on his time. I will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Angelo Corridori
October 10, 2012
Bernard and I were classmates all through gradeschool and highschool at Madrid-Waddington in Madrid, New York. We both grew up on Caroline Street in that same town. He was such a good boy, and a fine man. He was such a good boy, and a fine man. My condolences to June, whom I also knew, and family.
Roxine Baker Caswell
October 10, 2012
My deepest sympathy to the family. On the occasions that I worked with Bernie he was always patient and helpful. His brillance did not overshadow his humility. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michelene Cave
October 10, 2012
My sincere condolences to Bernie's family on his passing. He was a brilliant individual and a wonderful mentor to me when I was at IBM. He will sorely be missed by IBM and the large systems community.
Bob Milroy
October 10, 2012
June and Family, I am truly sorry for your loss. May your happy memories keep you strong. Spending times at the old stone schoolhouse are surely part of those. It is gratifying to Lauren and I that you and Bernie made such great improvements to it. My thoughts are with you and your family. Carolyn, Alberta's daughter.
Carolyn Besio
October 10, 2012
June
Please accept our thoughts of sympathy and prayers on the lost of your husband. May his soul rest in peace.
Tony and Cora Smaldone
October 10, 2012
I've worked with Bernie almost since I started with IBM back in 1978. He was always helpful and a great help in difficult customer situations. My deepest sympathies and condolences to his family.
Steve Olenik
October 10, 2012
I am deeply saddened by this sudden loss. Bernie was one of the smartest people I know but was always able to put things in terms others could understand. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Jeff Kubala
October 10, 2012
My deepest condolences to Bernie's family. I worked with Bernie at IBM and he was always very helpful and willing to share his knowledge. I will miss him.
Marianne Hammer
October 10, 2012
I have known Bernie since I first started working for IBM in 1978. He was always someone that everyone I knew respected. But it wasn't just how intelligent Bernie was, he was a really great person. In all the years I've known him, and of all of the times I have gone to him for assistance, no matter how basic my question was, he always treated me with respect. My most sincere sympathy to his family. We will all miss him.
Bill Rooney
October 10, 2012
Bernie was a brilliant man and one of the most respected technical leaders and innovators I've worked with at IBM. Yet he was always approachable and helpful, explaining things "in other words" until even I could understand. I miss him. May the love and peace of God bring comfort to Bernie's family, and to all of us who were blessed to know him.
Bob St. John
October 10, 2012
He have lost a great member of the computer performance measurement community. A true gentleman.
Jerry Rosenberg
October 10, 2012
I worked with Bernie over the past several years. He was a great mentor and an inspiration to all technical people. I will greatly miss working with him. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Elpida Tzortzatos
October 9, 2012
IT WAS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO WORK WITH BERNIE AT IBM. SENDING YOU MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL OF HIS FAMILY.
WILLIAM SHEPARD
October 9, 2012
I remember starting to work with Bernie back in 1975. He was in the circle of experts on MVS that I always viewed with awe of their technical knowledge. I continued to work with Bernie on the hardest problems up through this year. He cannot be replaced and I will miss him. My heart goes out to his family.
Don Ault
October 9, 2012
Dear June, So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our prayers. Joan Ann Usis
October 9, 2012
My heart and prayers go out to the Pierce and Aberschein families. I am so sorry for your loss.
Jennifer Wrage
October 9, 2012
I worked with Bernie in the 1980s and remember him fondly. He was a mentor for me in early days at IBM. My condolences to his family.
Lisa Malachowsky
October 9, 2012
I had the opportunity of working with Bernie for the last few years. Beyond his admirable broad knowledge Bernie was always gentle, fair, and a very genuine person. I'm very saddened by his death but above all our sympathy goes out to Bernie's family.
Horst Sinram
October 9, 2012
God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow. Natalino, CMG Brazil President and IBM Brazil friend.
Joao Natalino Oliveira
October 9, 2012
We were shocked to hear the sad news about Bernie. He was our architect, designer and colleague. We admired his knowledge in MVS performance and he will be missed by us greatly.
In the name of the German z/OS Workload Management Development Team
Jutta Brenner
October 9, 2012
Deepest sympathies to Bernie's family. He was a role model and icon to many of his IBM colleagues, and an exceptionally nice person. We will miss him in many, many ways.
David Manners
October 9, 2012
I worked with Bernie for over ten years. He was a genius and a mentor that I turned to frequently, even after I left Poughkeepsie. I spoke with him recently and it was Bernie asking me to shepherd a young colleague of his. He was generous with his time, thoughtfulness, knowledge and kindness. I enjoyed talking with him about work, math and the Adirondacks. My deepest feelings go out to you and your family. He will be strongly missed.
Donna Eng Dillenberger
October 9, 2012
I've had the pleasure of working with Bernie as a customer and as a colleague at CMG and SHARE going back to the 1970's. He was the consumate professional, an inovative thinker, a vendor representative who really listened to his customers, and a fine teacher and mentor. But beyond all that, he was a wonderfully genuine and kind person who touched all who knew and worked with him at a very personal level. Thanks, Bernie!
Dan Squillace
October 9, 2012
My deepest sympathies to Bernie's entire family. I worked with Bernie for many years. He was one of the very best, as a person as well as a worker. His loss will be felt by all who had the privilege to know and work with him.
Allan Meritt
October 9, 2012
Dearest June and Family: Pat and I send our deepest condolences in the passing of Bernie. Hopefully all of the many wonderful memories you have of your life with Bernie will help you during this most difficult time.
We send our prayers.
Pat and Ginny McKenzie
Milton, VT. & Orcas, WA.
Virginia McKenzie
October 9, 2012
I am writing to extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I was so very sad to hear about Bernie, he was a wonderful colleague. I had the honor to work with him for more than 10 years. I had the greatest respect for Bernie and will miss working with him.
Robert Vaupel
Robert Vaupel
October 9, 2012
To The Family of Bernie, I was so saddened when I heard of his departure. I know Bernie from the IBM cafeteria, and he was always so friendly, always with a smile. He spoke of his grandchildren with such pride. I will miss his presence. May he rest in peace. Michele Santoro
Michele Santoro
October 8, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bernie's family in this very difficult time. Bernie was the kind of IBMer we do not take for granted. He was bright, had strong opinions, was willing to debate based on the facts he had and was not afraid to use his intuition. We miss him and feel fortunate to have had him as a colleague. Rest in peace, Bernie.
Kelly Ryan
October 8, 2012
Our heartfelt concern for the family. May your loving memories fill your hearts and provide some comfort at this sad time. M & C
Charleen Gottschalk
October 8, 2012
Dearest June, You are in our thoughts at this sad time. We had the pleasure of meeting Bernie several times and had the honour of welcoming you both into our home during one of your wonderful holidays together. Bernie was quite simply, a lovely man.
Kenny and Alison Stephen
October 8, 2012
A true SHARE colleague.
Frank Rosenzweig
October 8, 2012
My deepest condolences to Bernie's family. I recently had a chance to work with Bernie and truly appreciated it. He will be greatly missed by all. May God give the family strength during this difficult time, and may his soul rest in peace.
Anuja Deedwaniya
October 8, 2012
May the love of family and friends help you through this difficult time.I am in upstate New York and am not sure I will be home for the service.You are in my thoughts and prayers
Sandy Rymph
October 8, 2012
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Bernie's family. Both my husband Jeff Nick and I worked with Bernie over the years at IBM while we were there. He was a wonderful person, great employee and mentor to me. We pray that your family has the strength to endure this painful time and that you always keep him alive in your hearts as you share your memories.
Madeline & Jeff Nick
October 8, 2012
My heart goes out to Bernie's family, colleagues, and friends. I was honored to work with Bernie at IBM, Candle and SHARE. He was brilliant yet approachable and was able to present and discuss complex topics with ease and clarity. Bernie was always good company and respected by all he met.
I am greatly saddened by his passing
Steve Samson
October 8, 2012
Dick and Millie Davis
October 8, 2012
Our thoughts at IBM are with your family. Bernie was a true mentor, leader and consummate professional... I respected his dry wit and his amazing way of making the complex seem simple, the sign of a true genius. I just learned of his passing and am deeply saddened. Please know our IBM family is grieving as well at the loss of a great friend.
Steve Kinder
October 8, 2012
Worked with Bernie over the years. A real gentleman and scholar. I'll miss him.
Ray Wicks
October 8, 2012
Hi - I met Bernie while he worked at Candle, and then later again when we joined IBM. He was a very special person we all highly respected and will truly miss. Our thoughts are with his family
Teri Soken
October 8, 2012
Dear June,
Please know that you have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband. I know that there is little I can say to console you but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this tragic time.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Giammatteo
Stephanie Giammatteo
October 8, 2012
My deepest condolences to the Bernie's family. I started working with Bernie closely these past couple of months and I found him knowledgeable, approachable and humorous. He will be missed.
Frank Wisnewski
October 8, 2012
I worked with Bernie at IBM and am greatly saddened by this loss. May God give the family strength at this difficult time.
Mariama Ndoye
October 8, 2012
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Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc.371 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
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