Bernard Irwin Bayer

BAYER Bernard Irwin Bayer, April 5, 1933, to October 15, 2011, resident of Keowee Key, Salem, South Carolina. After a courageous three month battle with leukemia, Bernard passed away peacefully at Oconee Hospice of the Foothills in Seneca, South Carolina. Bernard was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Lakeview High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1955. Bernard served as an Instructor at the Naval Air Technical Training Center and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1962. Early in his career, he worked as a Writer, Editorial Researcher and Reporter in Chicago, Illinois, and then as a Science Writer for General Motors Corporation in Michigan. Subsequently, Bernard was employed as an Engineer with the Heavy Military Electronics Department for General Electric in Syracuse, New York. In the late 1960's Bernard was the Director for the Western New York State Technical Service Program, Man-Machine Systems Design Institute at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In the 1970's Bernard began working with The Ohio State University, serving as Coordinator of Information Services for the University's Mechanized Information Center. Following the death of his first wife, Rosalee Perl Bayer, Bernard earned his Master's Degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Bernard subsequently became the Head of the Mechanized Information Center for The Ohio State University and Head of the Physics Library and Perkins Observatory Library. Prior to retiring in 1995, he spent time working towards the attainment of his PhD at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Following his retirement, Bernard was appointed Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University. Bernard was the only child of the late Betty and Samuel Bayer, and the beloved husband of Rosella Bayer for over 30 years. Bernard will forever be remembered by Rosella and his devoted children, Samuel, Jonathan, Daniel, Joshua, Michelle, and Michael; his loving grandchildren, Jacob, Adam, Rosalee, Olivia, Kennedy, and Ziggy; and caring in-laws, Ericka Danko, Betsy Bayer, Mary Ann Bayer, Terence High, and Injung Tolle. Bernard loved his family dearly, and was eagerly anticipating the birth of another grandson in March, 2012. In addition, he held dear to his heart Jody and Greg Cottrell and their son Jaden. Along with his intense love for his family, Bernard cared deeply for his friends. He enjoyed jogging, boating, philosophy, classical music, studying Judaism, playing pool, dancing with his wife, and being with his family and friends. Bernard touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery, 759 Hwy 51, Madison, Mississippi, 39110. A separate memorial service will be held in Keowee Key, South Carolina, in November, at a time to be determined. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Cottingham House at Oconee Hospice of the Foothills, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672, 864-882-3351, as these wonderful people cared so genuinely for him in his time of need. THE MACKEY MORTUARY, Century Drive, Greenville, SC.