KENNETH BERNSTEIN Obituary

BERNSTEIN, Kenneth Kenneth M. (Ken) Bernstein died May 17, 2021 at his home in Newton Centre, MA at age 72. He was the cherished husband and soulmate of Gail (Dechayne) Bernstein for more than 48 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Roz and Arthur Bernstein, and his brother, Stuart Bernstein. He was the beloved brother-in-law of Janet Walsh and the late Jim Walsh, Gerald and Maryanne Dechayne, Marilyn and Bob Murphy, and Linda Bernstein. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.Ken was born on July 4, 1948 in the Panama Canal Zone where he was raised. He was educated at Pomona College, Boston University School of Education and Harvard University School of Education. He was an accomplished photographer, musician, and curriculum developer in computer technology. But first and foremost, he was an educator.He was afflicted with Parkinson's Disease for decades. He received several awards including life achievement awards from the MA Chapter of the APDA and the MA Advocates for Parkinson Disease for his outstanding work and advocacy for the Parkinson's community.His family and friends were his greatest joys in life. He will be best remembered for his creativity, his kindness, his sharp wit and his love of life. Burial services will be private. A Memorial Celebration of Ken's life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the BU Center for Neurorehabilitation, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston MA 02215. Stanetsky Memorial Chapels www.stanetskybrookline.com

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Published by Boston Globe from May 21 to May 23, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for KENNETH BERNSTEIN

3 Entries

Deborah Malick-San Gabriel

May 17, 2025

Another year ~sigh~ but always Mr. Bernstein (never "Ken," even though it was the 1970s and there was more freedom in addressing one's instructors) is with me. My condolences to Mrs. Gail Bernstein. I never had the opportunity to meet her but would like to someday. Mr. Bernstein never forgot his students, even though there were so many of us, all of us seeking wisdom from our very Creative and wise high school educator. Some 18 years after graduating, Mr. Bernstein still met with me for career suggestions, as I was thinking of transitioning from creative fields (photography; journalism) to the humanities as a medieval scholar. Of course, he was respectful, not demanding his way or the highway :) for career advice. The only thing he wanted was for me to keep using that purple felt tip pen :) That black Canon FTb he recommended to my parents that they buy for me still sits here, and I am determined to return to 35mm film work and silver printing. I would like Mr. Bernstein to know that when (not if) I do, I will surely use the silver recovery systems he recommended in order to help protect the planet. He cared about family and friends; students; Mother Earth. He never set aside his life as a Creative. We were all so young then, and days learning with Mr. Bernstein were as beautiful and mystical as the pints of sunrises with fog he would sometimes show us. He saw the Gift in all of us and let us know that. For the rest of my life, I will never forget Mr. Bernstein. May his memory be a blessing.
DSG (nee DM)
BHS '76

Deborah Malick-San Gabriel

May 15, 2024

Remembering Mr. Bernstein on his passing May 17. Teacher and mentor. He always let me write with my purple felt tip pen, instead of insisting on navy or blue. I went from photojournalism to alternative photographic processes with Mr. Bernstein as my guide. He was always there, not in the shadows but in the sun around me, in my creative life. He always always made time for his students present and previous. I became a cineaste because of him and my parents, who adored him. May Mr. Bernstein's memory be a blessing.

Deborah Malick San Gabriel
BHS '76

Deborah Malick

November 27, 2022

I am truly sorry to read about the loss of my high school film studies and photography instructor, Ken Bernstein.

Ken was my instructor at Brookline High School in the mid 1970s, first in film studies and then, for an entire blessed year, photography. It was due to Ken that I spent the first years of my journalism career as a photojournalist. On my birthday at the end of that second semester, Ken and my parents sweetly surprised me by privately consulting with each other on my present: a Canon FTb, a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera. I still have it and have used it as a student and professional from the 1970s through today. Ken made that camera possible for my parents to select.

Ken ignited in me a passion for being both a film aficionado and scholar.

As a teacher, Ken was a teacher's teacher and a student's teacher.

I last saw Ken when I sought his counsel, in the early 1990s, on whether to make a career switch to medieval studies; or stay in print journalism as a writer; or explore the new digital technologies available to photographers that Ken was already excelling at. He truly had "words of wisdom," remaining a teacher to me almost 20 years after high school graduation. He was always generous with his time and his creative ideas.

Ken was a gifted visual artist, and I enjoyed seeing his work through the years online or at the Newton Arts Center.

In later years, Ken was one of a handful of instructors I sought out in my memories when dealing with creative matters. He truly cared about his students.

It was a gift to know him.

May Kenneth Bernstein's memory be a blessing.

My condolences to Gail and all of Ken's beloveds.

Sincerely,

Deborah Malick
Brookline High School '76