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Paul Bernhardt Obituary
He taught ceramics for 35 years at the Conestoga High School in the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District and was the Art Department chairman there for many years. He was instrumental in developing and an Art Major Program in the district which was one of the first in the area.
For many years, he taught ceramics at the Main Line Night School. Upon retiring, he taught ceramics at the Chester Springs Art Studio, Chester Springs.
Born in Yeadon, he was a son of the late Harold and Alice Bernhardt.
He graduated from Kutztown University with a bachelor of arts degree, Temple University with a master's degree in art education, and Alfred University with an MFA degree in ceramics.
Bernhardt participated in many local shows and National Juried shows and over the years received many awards for his ceramics and his influence on students. In 2007, he received an award for "Excellence in Teaching" from the National Conference in Education in Educating for the Ceramics Art (NCECA). This is a very prestigious award and it was the first time it was ever given to a high school teacher.
In 1994, a group of former students who are well-known artists had an exhibition at Chester Springs Art Studio as a tribute to his influence on their careers in the world of ceramics.
The deceased was a member of the Wallingford Potter's Guild, The "Claybody" Group and the Chester County School Retirees.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a sister, Ruth Thompson in California; a brother Harold of Holland, Pa.; a niece, Carol Muraski; three nephews, Fred Bernhardt and Paul and Mark Thompson; and several great-nieces and great-nephews who were precious to him, as well as his devoted friends and students.
Service: Memorial service 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, 410 N. Church St., West Chester, Pa. Interment, private. Call 10-11 a.m. Wednesday. Contributions in his name may be made to the Chester Co. SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, Pa. 19380; Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21209; Christ Lutheran Church, 189 Church Rd., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229; and/or Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall St., Suite 204, West Chester, Pa. 19380. www.DellaFH.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Bernhardt
Carolyn Cox
November 30, 2010
Teacher, friend, guide. I will never forget how your independent spirit helped bring me into the fold of fine art. Though my family was going through tumultuous changes, you were there to give me focus and teach me how to center when I was still very much a child.
Jim Miller
July 5, 2010
Aunt Janet,
You are in our thoughts here in Texas. So many adjectives come to mind when we think of Paul ... Gracious, Kind, Fun-loving, Caring. We could go on forever. We will never forget our times spent together at the lake with our extended family. Always remember the great memories. Paul has left a lasting impression on many people across the World, his legacy will live forever in our hearts. May God bless you in your time of need. Jim, Brenda, Lindsey, Jordon, Alyssa Miller, Cibolo, TX
Alicia
July 1, 2010
You will forever be missed...I love that laugh.
Jane Schlagnhaufer
June 30, 2010
Uncle Paul,
I certainly will miss you, you were a great man who was fun to be around. You had a great dispostion and had funny jokes. I will miss you at family functions that we attend together. You are a great man and I will always love you.
Michael Connelly
June 30, 2010
When contemplating my own education and what brought me to teaching, I will forever be in-debt to my high school ceramics teacher, Mr. Paul Bernhardt.
From the days of learning to hit the fast-ball in little league, to applying for my current position of Head of Ceramics at Montgomery County Community College, I have always searched for father-figures who were willing to look past my facade to offer me respectful guidance.
Having grown up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, I had everything at my disposal. I had a wonderful immediate family, the culture of the Philadelphia area and a high school that offered art as a major. Conestoga High School is frequently ranked by organizations as one of the best schools in Pennsylvania and currently ranked as the seventy-ninth in the United States, according to US News and World Report.
Conestoga had a internship program where senior class students would intern with area businesses and professionals during their final semester. Because of Mr. Bernhard’s passion to ceramics, Conestoga High School had developed a unique relationship with the Chester Springs Studio. Ceramics students are able to fire their work in Chester Spring’s wood kiln, as well as take additional after school and evening classes with teachers and workshop professionals in the ceramic field. Mr. Paul Bernhardt, who figured in the early careers of some of Conestoga’s rather famous alumni, still teaches at Chester Springs to this day-he is in 70’s. This ongoing partnership with Chester Springs has helped bring nationally recognized ceramic artists from across the country to Conestoga High School as visiting artists to work with students in the clay program.The ceramics program at Conestoga High School is one of the most successful ceramic arts clay programs in the United States on a high school level. Many former students have gone onto artistic careers such as professors, studio artists and high school teachers and business owners.
Because of Mr. Bernhard’s selfless gift of teaching, he offered me my first look at what a passion of arts education was about. It was obvious to me that Mr. Bernhardt gave back to education more than what he received and because of this, his students gave back and made his own teaching mission re-energized and new.
Mr. Bernhardt taught me the that if I teach students, I will forever give back to the field of ceramics. This In turn will forever keep my dialogue alive and recharge my own work.
Forever your humble student,
Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly
June 30, 2010
When contemplating my own education and what brought me to teaching, I will forever be in-debt to my high school ceramics teacher, Mr. Paul Bernhardt.
From the days of learning to hit the fast-ball in little league, to applying for my current position of Head of Ceramics at Montgomery County Community College, I have always searched for father-figures who were willing to look past my facade to offer me respectful guidance.
Having grown up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, I had everything at my disposal. I had a wonderful immediate family, the culture of the Philadelphia area and a high school that offered art as a major. Conestoga High school is frequently ranked by organizations as one of the best schools in Pennsylvania and currently ranked as the seventy-ninth in the United States, according to US News and World Report.
Conestoga had a internship program where senior class students would intern with area businesses and professionals during their final semester. Because of Mr. Bernhardt's passion to ceramics, Conestoga High School had developed a unique relationship with the Chester Springs Studio. Ceramics students are able to fire their work in Chester Springs wood kiln, as well as take additional after school and evening classes with teachers and workshop professionals in the ceramic field. Mr. Paul Bernhardt, who figured in the early careers of some of Conestoga's rather famous alumni, still teaches at Chester Springs to this day-he is in 70's. This ongoing partnership with Chester Springs has helped bring nationally recognized ceramic artists from across the country to Conestoga High School as visiting artists to work with students in the clay program.
The ceramics program at Conestoga High School is one of the most successful ceramic arts clay programs in the United States on a high school level. Many former students have gone onto artistic careers such as professors, studio artists and high school teachers and business owners.
Because of Mr. Bernhardt's selfless gift of teaching, he offered me my first look at what a passion of arts education was about. It was obvious to me that Mr. Bernhardt gave back to education more than what he received and because of this, his students gave back and made his own teaching mission re-energized and new.
Mr. Bernhardt taught me the that if I teach students, I will forever give back to the field of ceramics. This In turn will forever keep my dialogue alive and recharge my own work.
Always your student,
Michael Connelly
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