John Muth Bernd

1922 - 2018

BORN

1922

DIED

2018

About

Wayne State University

John Bernd Obituary

John Muth Bernd

Stevens Point - John Muth Bernd, 95, died Sunday, January 28, 2018 of natural causes at Portage County Health Center, Stevens Point, WI. He was born in Oconomowoc, WI on August 16, 1922. John spent his childhood in La Crosse, WI and lived there until he was 22.

Education was the fulcrum of his life. It started with his own education in La Crosse, at Central High School and La Crosse State Teachers College and continued to long career as a teacher. John engaged students through the years as a Wisconsin high school instructor at West Salem, Merrill, and South Milwaukee. His passion for learning led to a Ph.D. at Madison and his next phase as a university professor at William Patterson University, Wayne State University, UW-Stevens Point, and a few summers at the University of Saskatchewan.

Travel was an integral part of his educational approach. He headed a caravan of his high school students to Mexico and led university groups to Europe including London and Poland. During his early retirement years in Atlanta, GA, he escorted students to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China.

Outside of his career, John was a respected community leader. He received a Lifetime Membership Commendation for his 50 years of service to the Stevens Point Noon Lion's Club. Among his proudest achievements was serving as chairman of the Stevens Point school board building committee and its driving force behind the construction of SPASH.

John was preceded in death by his first wife, Verlene "Lee" (Cayo) Bernd, in 1995.

He is survived by very loving family members including his current wife, Marilyn (Warner Kapter) Bernd, whom he shared the special love of twilight years since 1999; daughter, Mary Jo (Bernd) Ulrich of Ogema, WI; son, John Milton Bernd, of Bethlehem, GA; 3 grandchildren, Allyson (Ulrich) Jablonsky, Ramon Bernd, and John Bernd; 3 step-grandsons, Chad Ulrich, Curt Ulrich, and Cale Ulrich; and several great-grandchildren.

A private family ceremony will be held in the near future. Donations and remembrances can be made to the UW-Stevens Point Foundation and its John Muth Bernd Scholarship as well as the Stevens Point Noon Lion's Club.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Stevens Point Journal on Jan. 31, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for John Bernd

Sponsored by the Stevens Point Journal.

11 Entries

Andrew Grzadzielewski

January 26, 2020

I still often think of John when I am working with my students. I still use the ideas he helped me learn about being a good teacher all these many years ago. I would like to think that when my own students have students of their own, they would remember the things I taught them, many of which I learned from John. Then John's legacy will live for many years to come.

Andrew Grzadzielewski

January 25, 2019

One time in an education class, a fellow student of mine said that public education was created and financed so that students could learn. In a very gentle but firm way, Professor Bernd said: "Well, almost. Public education was created and financed so that each student has the OPPORTUNITY to learn. We cannot force students to learn; we simply do our best to give them to best opportunity to do so. That is the promise we make to our students and our parents. And in this class, I want to help you become the kind of teacher that takes that promise seriously."

I have never forgotten his words.

Andrew Grzadzielewski

Morgan

February 14, 2018

It was a pleasure to take care of John at the PCHCC. He will be missed.

Janice Doxtator

February 13, 2018

John was a good friend and neighbor to us on Ellis St. in the '70's. We treasure the memories of those days.

Ron Klein

February 10, 2018

Just found out John died, last night. Have many quality memories of John throughout the years. Putting it accurately, John was a gentleman

Martha Schuh

February 6, 2018

Dear Marilyn,
We send our deepest sympathy to you. I recall the day I saw you and John in Target, both with big smiles on your faces. You shared the news with me that day that you were getting married. So nice for both of you that you had so many years together.

Jim and Martha Schuh

Jan & Earl Higgins

February 3, 2018

Marilyn, Our sincere sympathy to you and all family members. I remember John while I lived in the Jefferson School neighborhood. What a wonderful man. He will be remembered lovingly by many people.

February 2, 2018

I took two education classes from Professor Bernd at UWSP in the early 1980s. I learned a lot about being a good teacher from him, mostly from his own example of how he treated us. I have been a teacher from more than 30 years, and I'd like to think that part of him is with me when I'm with my students.

Andrew Grzadzielewski

Phillip J. Janowski

February 1, 2018

John my sincere condolences to the loss of your father. May God rest his soul. I will remember John in my prayers.

Joan North

February 1, 2018

John was such a gentle man. His encourgment and support of others meant more than he knew. "A life well lived" was coined for him.

He has a special place in my heart.

January 30, 2018

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15)

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